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Author Topic:   Tohatsu 5-HP Tilt Very Stiff

swist posted 01-06-2009 04:29 PM ET (US)
The tilt on my 5-HP Tohatsu motor has gotten progressively stiffer over the years. It really needs to get fixed or I'll break my already-screwed-up back trying to pull on the thing. There appears to be no adjustment, just a long bolt through the pivot where the mounting bracket joins the rest of the motor. Loosening the nut at the end of the bolt doesn't do anything (and risks working itself off - it is not a locknut). There is a grease fitting and a pressure adjusting wingnut to deal with the steering rotation, but nothing at all similar to deal with the tilt.
My best guess is to remove the nut and try to punch the long bolt out, clean it and regrease it, but after 10 years in saltwater I don't have a lot of confidence it will come out.
Anyone have any other ideas?
Not directly Whaler related but since I use a 1998 Tohatsu 5HP on my inflatable to get out to the mooring to get on my Whaler.
Tohsgib posted 01-07-2009 11:47 AM ET (US)
It will come out but before you do that, try heating up the tilt tube with a Burnsomatic. You can touch up the paint when done. The grease gets hard over years and turns to cement. Are you sure there are no grease fittings for that tube?
swist posted 01-07-2009 03:10 PM ET (US)
Nope. It's the simplest thing in the world. Just a long bolt and nut through the pivot points. I don't even recall the maintenance instructions saying anything about it or I would have greased it yearly. No adjustments, no grease fittings, nothing.
Tom W Clark posted 01-07-2009 08:15 PM ET (US)
Your plan to remove the pivot bolt is sound. Be sure to apply lots of penetrating oil the day before and let it soak to whatever degree it can.
Use a torch to apply heat to the mounting brackets. Lots of heat will help break the bolt free and allow you to drive it out.

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Author	Topic: Tohatsu 5-HP Tilt Very Stiff
swist	posted 01-06-2009 04:29 PM ET (US) The tilt on my 5-HP Tohatsu motor has gotten progressively stiffer over the years. It really needs to get fixed or I'll break my already-screwed-up back trying to pull on the thing. There appears to be no adjustment, just a long bolt through the pivot where the mounting bracket joins the rest of the motor. Loosening the nut at the end of the bolt doesn't do anything (and risks working itself off - it is not a locknut). There is a grease fitting and a pressure adjusting wingnut to deal with the steering rotation, but nothing at all similar to deal with the tilt. My best guess is to remove the nut and try to punch the long bolt out, clean it and regrease it, but after 10 years in saltwater I don't have a lot of confidence it will come out. Anyone have any other ideas? Not directly Whaler related but since I use a 1998 Tohatsu 5HP on my inflatable to get out to the mooring to get on my Whaler.
Tohsgib	posted 01-07-2009 11:47 AM ET (US) It will come out but before you do that, try heating up the tilt tube with a Burnsomatic. You can touch up the paint when done. The grease gets hard over years and turns to cement. Are you sure there are no grease fittings for that tube?
swist	posted 01-07-2009 03:10 PM ET (US) Nope. It's the simplest thing in the world. Just a long bolt and nut through the pivot points. I don't even recall the maintenance instructions saying anything about it or I would have greased it yearly. No adjustments, no grease fittings, nothing.
Tom W Clark	posted 01-07-2009 08:15 PM ET (US) Your plan to remove the pivot bolt is sound. Be sure to apply lots of penetrating oil the day before and let it soak to whatever degree it can. Use a torch to apply heat to the mounting brackets. Lots of heat will help break the bolt free and allow you to drive it out.