Mercruiser Alpha trim cylinder

ddurand

Member
Member
Joined
Jun 20, 2001
RO Number
5015
Messages
837
The first 3 things (washers? seals?) on the shaft seem to be loose and floating around. Do I need a seal kit or rebuild kit?
 
Not necessarily. First is usually the scrapper 'washer' To keep seaweed and such off the shaft. Second is the felt washer. There may be a 'c' clip holding everything in. The seal seats in the end cap.

If you're in saltwater, the area behind the scrapper can hold dried salt. That dried salt can freeze up the hydraulic ram. Make sure you wash it off every chance you get.
 
Looks like the rod scraper, plain washer and retaining ring. I am thinking if I pull the trim apart I minds well use a rebuild kit.

What does the long plastic tube do that I see included in some trim cylinder repair kits? Its a tool of some kind but unsure what its needed for.
 
Never got a kit with a plastic tube so can't comment.

Rebuilding is simple. Gotta be careful of the fluid in the cylinder when you start taking things apart. You may have to use air in the bottom end to push the piston out. Use a towel over the end to catch the piston and fluid. Do the rebuild on a clean towel and keep everything clean. Clean everything before disassembling and get any loose paint chips. Keep the internal parts in proper order.

Half the time, the hydraulic fitting break up the threads if there's any corrosion. If it looks suspect, it may be a better choice to remove the hydraulic lines at the block under the transom assembly
 
Is there a reason to remove the cylinder from the boat? Can I remove the end cap with the cylinder in place after removing the pin connecting the piston to the outdrive and to other piston?
 
So you've never worked on any hydraulic equipment before.

Did you see them do emergency hydraulic repair work on 'Deadliest Catch'? Remember, that was EMERGENCY REPAIRS.

Did you think I was making it up about keeping things clean?

Tell you what, Go ahead and do the repair on the boat...and remember what I said while you're picking pieces out of the dirt.
 
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