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Author Topic:   Hydraulic Trim Ram Not Retained Properly

twista posted 04-17-2009 01:46 AM ET (US)
[While] greasing the outboard in preperation for launch Saturday, [I] noticed something that irritated me. [At] the very top of the hydraulic piston that lifts the outboard there was a stay pin of some sort. At the very top of the piston itself there is a bolt or pin of some sort that attaches to the unit and acts as a makeshift linkage of sorts. [This pin or bolt] was working its way out. [I] tapped it in with a hammer and it DID go back in. What exactly is supposed to go in that hole? What means of securement is used to hold in place to keep it from riding out? [I] believe that, if this were to come all the way out, the outboard would be stuck in whatever position it is in at that time.
jimh posted 04-17-2009 09:05 AM ET (US)
From your narrative it sounds like the outboard motor hydraulic tilt ram is missing a snap ring retainer. Give more details about your motor, like the brand, the model year, and the horsepower. This information is more useful in providing assistance than giving the day of the week or your state of mind.
twista posted 04-17-2009 03:10 PM ET (US)
[The motor is] a 1995 [Mercury] 90-HP outboard[.] [Is] there something missing? [I] dont think that would be normal.
jimh posted 04-18-2009 10:04 AM ET (US)
From your narrative it sounds like the outboard motor hydraulic tilt ram is missing a snap ring retainer. It is not normal that important parts of a power tilt system would be free to fall out of place and render the system useless.
Marlin posted 04-19-2009 08:16 AM ET (US)
I happened to be looking at my trim-and-tilt assembly yesterday. Mine is a 2003 Mercury 115 four-stroke, and I have no idea whether it's similar to yours or not.
The upper end of the ram is welded to a transverse sleeve. Through the sleeve runs the pivot pin, perhaps 5/8" diameter. There's a hole in the side of the sleeve where a small pin, perhaps 3/16", is inserted to prevent the pivot pin from sliding out to either side. I assume this is the part you're talking about.
My manual describes this piece as the "tri-lobe pin". The manual does not have a detailed drawing or photo that shows any useful detail about the pin. Disassembly instructions are to drive the pin out with a punch, so clearly there is no retaining ring or clip. If I had to guess, I'd say that the end of the pin is split (probably into three prongs, hence the name) and the split lobes make a friction fit inside the pivot pin.
If your pin is falling out, and IF it's the same design as mine, then I'd say that the pin may be damaged and should be replaced, possibly along with the pivot pin.
-Bob

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Author	Topic: Hydraulic Trim Ram Not Retained Properly
twista	posted 04-17-2009 01:46 AM ET (US) [While] greasing the outboard in preperation for launch Saturday, [I] noticed something that irritated me. [At] the very top of the hydraulic piston that lifts the outboard there was a stay pin of some sort. At the very top of the piston itself there is a bolt or pin of some sort that attaches to the unit and acts as a makeshift linkage of sorts. [This pin or bolt] was working its way out. [I] tapped it in with a hammer and it DID go back in. What exactly is supposed to go in that hole? What means of securement is used to hold in place to keep it from riding out? [I] believe that, if this were to come all the way out, the outboard would be stuck in whatever position it is in at that time.
jimh	posted 04-17-2009 09:05 AM ET (US) From your narrative it sounds like the outboard motor hydraulic tilt ram is missing a snap ring retainer. Give more details about your motor, like the brand, the model year, and the horsepower. This information is more useful in providing assistance than giving the day of the week or your state of mind.
twista	posted 04-17-2009 03:10 PM ET (US) [The motor is] a 1995 [Mercury] 90-HP outboard[.] [Is] there something missing? [I] dont think that would be normal.
jimh	posted 04-18-2009 10:04 AM ET (US) From your narrative it sounds like the outboard motor hydraulic tilt ram is missing a snap ring retainer. It is not normal that important parts of a power tilt system would be free to fall out of place and render the system useless.
Marlin	posted 04-19-2009 08:16 AM ET (US) I happened to be looking at my trim-and-tilt assembly yesterday. Mine is a 2003 Mercury 115 four-stroke, and I have no idea whether it's similar to yours or not. The upper end of the ram is welded to a transverse sleeve. Through the sleeve runs the pivot pin, perhaps 5/8" diameter. There's a hole in the side of the sleeve where a small pin, perhaps 3/16", is inserted to prevent the pivot pin from sliding out to either side. I assume this is the part you're talking about. My manual describes this piece as the "tri-lobe pin". The manual does not have a detailed drawing or photo that shows any useful detail about the pin. Disassembly instructions are to drive the pin out with a punch, so clearly there is no retaining ring or clip. If I had to guess, I'd say that the end of the pin is split (probably into three prongs, hence the name) and the split lobes make a friction fit inside the pivot pin. If your pin is falling out, and IF it's the same design as mine, then I'd say that the pin may be damaged and should be replaced, possibly along with the pivot pin. -Bob