Trim ram maxium extension

Gopackgo2003

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Feb 7, 2022
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I've recently purchased a 1995 Crestliner with a Volvo Penta SX outdrive. Question is what is the max extension of the trim rams. If i measure the exposed ram im at 7.5 inches. This doesn't seem very high for trailering.
Thanks in advance.
 

Bondo

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Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... That sounds like it might be at the Trim limit,.....
There oughta be an over-ride switch to engage the Tilt,.....
 

Gopackgo2003

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Feb 7, 2022
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Thanks for the reply, unfortunately the prev owner had terminated the wires from the tilt button under the dash. And as i understand it the trim limit sensor should be on the port side and the trim sender on starboard. However my out drive doesn't have anything in the port side opening nor does the trim up/down guage work on the dash... so im not quite sure what is attached to the starboard side the the outdrive. So before I start a rewiring project I wanted to know what the max extension on the trim rams are.
 

dubs283

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Volvo SX drives/transom assys do not use a trim limit, they only have a sender for the gauge located on the stbd side of the gimbal ring. The operator is required to monitor the gauge to prevent the drive from going to high.

That said if you feel the drive isn't up/out enough to safely trailer its possible the issue is in the pump/motor assy. Likely culprit would be fluid level is below spec and the pump is aerating. Quick check would be to listen to the pump, if it reaches the max up/out under normal operation the pump/ motor noise will change tone to indicate excessive load. If the pump is aerating it will change tone to a noticeable high pitch. Also the trim rams may exhibit a "spongy" feel if you push down/in with the drive tilted up
 

dypcdiver

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You might just find that there is a plastic sleeve inside the trim cylinder to limit the travel.
 

Lou C

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Might want to see if measurements are given in a Volvo Penta shop manual for the standard lift height.
 

ripjmk

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I have a SX-M and I believe most of it is identical to the SX-C but can't be sure. See the attached pics for the angles at the stops of my outdrive.
 

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tpenfield

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I know that the Merc's are about 8" of extension (so about 10-11" total ram exposure to the outer ring). The V-P should be similar.
 

Gopackgo2003

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I have a SX-M and I believe most of it is identical to the SX-C but can't be sure. See the attached pics for the angles at the stops of my outdrive.
I get nothing close to this lol.
 

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Gopackgo2003

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I know that the Merc's are about 8" of extension (so about 10-11" total ram exposure to the outer ring). The V-P should be similar.
I found out that there is max extension of 10.5 inches for my rams. Since i get only 7.5 I'm thinking there are trim limiters installed. Which means I should probably reseal them when i open up the caps.
 

Scott Danforth

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you are still in the trim section, and not tilt. pull the finger trigger while raising to tilt above the 8 degree trim limit
 

Scott Danforth

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My SL 3 controls require the same finger trigger used to get it out of the neutral detent to over-ride the trim limit. Could be specific to the control binnacle.
 

bruceb58

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There were some Volvo drives equipped with a trim tilt limit module but never on any boats I have seen.

My understanding is that Volvo stopped using them years ago since they were such a major PITA and wouldn't work if the trim sender started failing which is pretty common.

I believe they were also mainly used on duoprop drives...not single prop SX drives.
 
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Gopackgo2003

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Feb 7, 2022
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There were some Volvo drives equipped with a trim tilt limit module but never on any boats I have seen.

My understanding is that Volvo stopped using them years ago since they were such a major PITA and wouldn't work if the trim sender started failing which is pretty common.

I believe they were also mainly used on duoprop drives...not single prop SX drives.

There were some Volvo drives equipped with a trim tilt limit module but never on any boats I have seen.

My understanding is that Volvo stopped using them years ago since they were such a major PITA and wouldn't work if the trim sender started failing which is pretty common.

I believe they were also mainly used on duoprop drives...not single prop SX drives.
Is it possible that there is some sort of physical restraint on full extension from inside the boat? I ask this because when the trim reaches its current full extension there is a squeaking sound coming from inside the boat, that sounds like rubber or plastic being squeezed. I havent had time yet to open the cylinders yet, actually hoping to avoid doing that.
 

Horigan

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That squealing sound is the pressure relief valve within the pump dumping the pump flow to the reservoir (low pressure side).
 
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