One trim ram extended when I unhooked both

[HavreDeGrace2400]

Hi all,
Undertaking an outdrive repainting project. I'll post on that later with pics.

In the process I had to remove the trim rams in order to work on the sides of the outdrive. I'm not sure how fast it happened, but the next day I found one trim ram had extended out like a half foot or so. The other starboard ram seemed to be where it was when I removed it.

I can spin both ram ends. The one that extended seems to maybe turn a little easier. But i can't push it back in. I tried a massive ratchet strap and it compressed like a centimeter and popped back when I removed the strap.

Any advice on this? I thought to undo the trim up hose fitting on the extended ram to see if I could get it down. I also read something that made me think the ram that didn't extend is the problem. I'm a little tentative on the ram seal kit redo versus buying a new one for 150 each. This is a Bravo3 btw.

Goalposts keep moving back on me !

[HavreDeGrace2400]

I have some time. Doesn't look like i'll be able to put the last coats of paint on for a week before it warms up enough.

Here's a picture of the two rams hanging with different lengths of extension. The one on the right is the length they both were when i first removed them both from the outdrive.


I want to get the port ram pushed back in so I can get the outdrive back on the rams with the pins. I suspect that the right ram is binding up causing the other ram to be under extra pressure. So, shrinking the left ram is only treating a symptom under that theory. But at least I can get the drive off the ground and address that second.

If that was the case, I'm thinking I can get away with only replacing one ram @ $150 per. And I'd also replace the exterior hoses. Perhaps there is binding in there too. The one i have has a rubber coating which is nice. But I can see that rubber cracking in some spots.

For now I decided to undo the lifting hose port on the left extended ram to see if i could push it in. I could not push it in until i also released the lowering hose attachment on that ram. Once i did both I was able to push the ram in by hand. It didn't go fast mind you, it took some pounds of effort. I only mention this as i am not sure what it should feel like, and my working theory is that this ram was the good one.

Anyway, here's a picture of removing the two ports on the left trim ram.




Maybe after i get both rams back on the pins, I can bleed the hoses and it goes back to normal. Or at least how it was last year. It worked great last year, went up and down fast and effortlessly. Especially compared to my previous boat.

[mmwjr]

Instead of breaking the trim line free I would first have tried operating the pump to trim down and trim up to verify the left cylinder is operating and that the right is frozen. You can still do this.

[shrew]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

Instead of breaking the trim line free I would first have tried operating the pump to trim down and trim up to verify the left cylinder is operating and that the right is frozen. You can still do this.

Agreed. And watch to see if oil or water pukes out. The seals go on these and need to be replaced occassionally.

If you're going to replace one, then replace both. IF the seals on one are gone, the other isn't far behind.

[HavreDeGrace2400]

I'll lug a battery out there this evening and try them out. Haven't seen any oil at all.




Seeing a pair for $280 and the hose kit for $80 on amazon. My biggest fer is that it'd be one of those orders that took 3 weeks to arrive. Or that I'd pay a lot more to source local.

[HavreDeGrace2400]

Another 10 yard penalty. I put battery #1 back in. But the trim switch isn't doing anything.

The Fridge, vhf, cabin lights, engine fuel pump (with key on), all work. Same for when battery switch set to both, everything but trim switch. Battery set to #2, and nothing works. The wires for batt#1 are definitely correct. Why didn't i bring both batteries...

Hoping that putting in both batteries solves that somehow.


I found two ram seal kits locally for $38 each. Still on the fence about trying that though. The amazon pair of new rams claims next day delivery.

[mmwjr]

The trim pump has a separate power wire, did you make sure it was connected to the battery?

[mmwjr]

Corrosion can make it very difficult to unthread the end of the cylinders to gain access to the innards. I would just replace them.

[HavreDeGrace2400]

I put battery#2 in and the trim motor works. Strange it should be wired like that.

Both trim rams moved in and out normally.

A guy at the yard told me today he thought I probably just had air in the system. That sounds plausible.

When the paint dries, maybe I can just do the bleed procedure I've been seeing a bit of on youtube. like this video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfW3dWsSLkE

[mmwjr]

The system will self bleed by trimming up and down several times.

[shrew]

Originally Posted by mmwjr

The system will self bleed by trimming up and down several times.

Keep an eye on the fluid in the reservoir while you're bleeding the system. raise and lower a few times, then check/add fluid. It will be done when the level rides from the upper limit (Full trim IN) and the lower limit (Full Trim OUT).

[HavreDeGrace2400]

Thank you, that worked. Both rams are the same length again.


I put little wood ramps under the rear end of the rams and ran them all the way in and then out for a bunch.

After the first 4 cycles i wasn't sure if the long ram was shortening. I then did 6 more cycles. However, during these cycles i held the up switch a little longer each time. I could tell by the sound that it wasn't completely stopping. When I went back to look, they were matching again.

Oh and i did check the fluid level. it did go down a little but still in range, but only after the last 6 cycles. Also, the pump motor did not get hot at all.

Thanks again!