How to Rebuild Your Trim Cylinders: The Complete Guide

Check out this video on how to completely reseal and rebuild your trim cylinders or trim rams (whichever you call it) for your Mercruiser Alpha 1 Gen 2 sterndrive. I show you how to break them down and put them back together with a new seal kit. This is an easy task and should be the first step if you have water in your trim pump reservoir. Hope you guys find this useful! Enjoy...
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[@gm1937]

Greetings from NY. Is it possible to do this job with the trims still attached to the boat but obviously disconnected from the outdrive?

[@Argellus]

Very helpful video. One trick I found, after my spammer wrench broke on the second cylinder because it was so tight, was to re-install the anode and use large channel locks to twist on the anode and remove the cap. Presumably those are going to be replace anyway, and even if not, all I did was score them a little. I was worried that the anode bolts wouldn’t hold but they did fine.

[@accidentaltradesman5139]

Huge help! Thanks for doing this video. I’m pulling my bravo 2 clys tomorrow

[@deanohyeah]

brah this is fantastic, so hard to find some end to end tutorials.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Good job rebuilding that cylinder, can't believe nobody besides me commented yet.

[@ashipshow]

Thanks for watching!

[@josefpozo2244]

could you please specify where to get the kit from? great video.

[@ashipshow]

I typically go to mercruiserparts.com to get the correct oem pn for my stuff then google search the part number to find the cheapest price... you can usually get off brand parts thru the same search (sierra, glm, etc)... thanks for watching

[@garyduncan2062]

You did an excellent job portraying the resealing the cylinders. My problem on my 1971 Merc 135hp is that the pump works fine and you can trim and tilt the motor up and down just fine. Problem is if you trim/tilt it up and come back in a couple of hrs the motor will have dropped down about 2.0 inches measured on the trailing edge of the cavitation plate. Over the weekend I changed the two cylinders with two I got off of a parts motor. I filled resevoir with tilt/trim fluid and trimed it up. I sat all day Sun and Mon and it only dropped about a .50 inch. So I thought that was great. I raised the motor up and down a few times last evening and let it sit up. Came down this morning and it was down all the way. No external leaks of any kind. Do you have any idea what's wrong? Is the there a check valve in the pump unit? Any help would be appreciated.

[@bionicjumpy]

I would like to say thank you for creating this video!!!

[@pablomay28]

Thank you so much for the video. I used it to rebuild my trim cylinders and it was very helpful.

[@KevinGrahl-gq3lp]

It was a good video that helped me, but did you know that YOU INSTALLED YOUR PISTONS UPSIDE DOWN!

[@Luigi-pk8mk]

I like how you made your own pin wrench, very ingenious! When I did the trim cyls on my OMC Cobra which is very similar to the Merc, I left the cyls on the boat, and loosened the end caps with them still installed on the transom mount. That way I didn't have to disconnect the hydraulic fittings which on my salt water boat might have been problematical. Once I got the end caps off the rest of the job was pretty easy.

[@dansikora4743]

The spanner wrench hack worked great. you saved me a ton of money. Thank you so much for this content, very good detail. Thanks AKA New Boat owner.

[@jimcooper170]

Your instruction was excellent , could not have done this with out you. Right down to the extra o-ring which would have caused potential grief. Even enjoyed paper towel guy. Thanks for this!

[@tanthony3895]

Would it be easier to disassemble the cylinder while it's still mounted on the outboard? That way you wouldn't have to put it in a vise for leverage? just wondering I'm about to do mine for the first time.

[@MaccanLindholm]

I’d also like to know if it is possible to do this while the cylinders are mounted on the boat.

[@ashipshow]

You could absolutely remove the end cap while on the boat still... Mine just happened to already be off... I would still recommend doing the rebuild in a somewhat clean area to keeps dirt/bugs/rocks out of your cylinders.

[@mvanderw379]

Wanted to thank you, absolute legend! As a noob boat owner wanted to do some diy on the outdrive. Changed impeller and found the rams frozen. Thought it was supposed to be like that. Thanks to you redid my rams, replaced end caps because they started leaking due to corrosion. Without your instructions wouldn't have the guts to do it myself but I did and they're working just like new. Can't thank you enough! Liked and subbed.

[@floridagirl386]

How do you know they were leaking?

[@chrisjones3038]

Hey man my rams won't move unless I swap the lines to the pump and reservoir. Do you think a rebuild will fix the problem 🤔

[@SwedeFJ40]

Awesome video! What was the torque spec for the end bolt?

[@ashipshow]

17.5 ftlb

[@snakeeyes4424]

Great video I feel i can do the rebuild on mine where do you get the Kit?. thanks

[@daveg2113]

Great video, My question is , after you're rebuilt the rams and reinstalled back onto the leg is there any special procedure for filling and bleeding them? Or you just fill up the reservoir and start up the engine and move the leg around to get the air out? Thx for the excellent video.

[@ashipshow]

You just fill the reservoir and run the drive up and down several times until there's no more air bubbles in the reservoir... be careful though.. let it sit for a little after the oil foams up, because it will suck air back in and the reservoir will overflow

[@daveg2113]

@@ashipshow OK thx very much for the reply. I'm going to check out your other videos

[@deucescullyful]

Thank you for this great video. In the vid when you tightened the bolt on the end you said "tighten to Mercury specs". How tight is that and is it super important? Or can i just tighten it down with a reasonable amount of torque?

[@markbailey6051]

I noticed he didn't used a torque and just said clik. Just tighten.

[@mastershakebmore]

Great video, thank you! Doing this job now, one of my end caps was severely corroded, had to use a slide hammer to remove it.

[@michaelmercurio4418]

Great Job!!! Thanks

[@stormgsi911]

That homemade spanner wrench is extremely clever!

[@michaeltomek8646]

Great video. Answered the questions I was having.

[@ryananey7626]

Thank you for making this video. Does the rebuild kit come with new tension rings/snap rings for the end cap? Mine have come out and not looking so good. Thanks again great job explaining!

[@ashipshow]

Yes, most kits come with all new clips... just be sure the kit you buy comes with a copper continuity ring, not all are copper.

[@mchaves7663]

Where do I buy the kit please?

[@dnappi85]

this helped me alot today and saved me a ton of cash. thanks!!

[@98snakehorse]

You mention tq down to mercruser spec. Did you have an actual tq or was that just snug? Lol

[@pinzit]

Really nice job in the clear explanation and visuals. Thank you for your help.

[@georgehartigan5918]

Great Video! I completed adding the new seals on both the port / starboard rams and have a question. When I inserted the End Cap onto the shaft, I had to force the end cap onto the shaft. A lot of force. I see you had little resistance adding the end cap. Prior to installing the new seals and the electrical bonding tab, the end caps easily slipped onto the shaft. Only after installing the seals was I required to use a lot of force to place the end caps onto the shaft. I have a bravo 3 outdrive, perhaps the seals I received were too larger? Just curios if any other viewers have experienced this level of difficulty to attach the end caps. Again, great video, thank you for posting.

[@michaelking42]

Mine were jammed. Jammed so tight I couldn't move them at all. I used a breaker bar inserted into the piston's mounting knuckle just to twist the bar, and the collar unscrewed. That's how jammed they were. To free them up in the collar, I had to pound the things down hard on a wooden block. Finally I got everything separated and put a small wire brush into the collar to clean the corrosion buildup out. Put it all back together and they work well apparently, but not sure I will be able to trust them for a long time. Also, it you want to unscrew the collars, another way to do it is to use a pipe wrench on the anode while it is still screwed to the collar. Very easy. I did not go in on a 'preserve and repair' mission, it was more of a napalm this shit and see if anything good is left.

[@russellzadlock95]

My outdrive is binding when going up installing and not moving, to lower it there is no issues it moves fluently. I bled the system made sure of no debris clogging the lines. I removed the rise lines and powered it up fluid shoots about 6 ft out of each port. I removed the lower lines and raised up the motor and fluently it moved no issues no binding at all. After reinstalling the hoses and lowering it back down it goes right back to the binding and not allowing it to move. Would this be caused by the internal seal leaking and the rise fluid pushing against the lowering fluid not allowing it to move? There is no visible signs of anything leaking out of the Pistons which is where I am stumped great video any thoughts

[@lorimarlodesignco7776]

Epic vid ty so much! Saved $800 easily! Ty for great content

[@tommjohnson3358]

I damaged one of the threads in the cylinder where the line hook up. Any idea what size tap I need to chase the threads? Thanks!!

[@ashipshow]

Should be a standard inverted flare fitting, maybe 3/8 - 24, but not entirely sure...

[@joseacd01]

What type of floid should i use, can i use engine oil 10w 30?

[@nikemie1]

I wish I found your video sooner. The best video for tilt trim reconditioning. I have aQuestion do you have to bleed the system ?

[@aprilgallup4219]

I have cursed every curse word trying to get that first cap off with the spanner wrench. I tried everything! I'm at a loss now what to do.

[@MatthewAllen-o9o]

Is this for an alpha one GEN one

[@durangodave]

thanks for video. did you also wash the large tube in degreaser, this is my first time?

[@inquisitor1519]

Hi That great video but I need your help if you can I manage to take my trim cylinder out but the inside is little different from yours , just realize that yours is Alfa one while mine is a Bravo 3., where can I sen you a pic to show you the pieces that I got ? You help will be appreciated Thanks

[@splash5974]

Great vid!! Who knows the torque spec for the reinstalling the rams to the outdrive?

[@ianeige7587]

Great info on trim cylinder rebuild thx so much just did both of mine.

[@AveLGuy1]

Very good idea making that adjustable spanner wrench tool out of a common cresent wrench. Now that is a mechanic. Hint, drop the music in all your future videos will be a huge plus.

[@inquisitor1519]

I just find out today that I need to replace one ( it won’t let the engine trim down) but he price for a new pair are crazy. Can you tell me what tiny of kit do I need if I will consider to rebuild mine? Thanks by the way great job

[@eldiablo1211]

Great video!! After rebuilding I have one cylinder that goes in and out freely and the other one has pressure like yours in the video,. How did you go about getting the air out before mounting and bleeding the system ,. Did you just mount them and the weight of the outdrive held it all the way in? thank you

[@ashipshow]

If I recall correctly, you can put on end on the ground and push all your weight down on the cylinder to compress it... What you're trying to do is get the air to pass through the little ball spring check valve.. even if you can't get it, the hydraulic pressure once its installed will force the air out.

[@eldiablo1211]

@@ashipshow got it on functions great thank you!!

[@mikekochanskifishing5811]

Would these seals fix my problem of the motor falling down in about 10 minutes after being trimmed up all the way. It all works fine except that it bleeds down after a few minutes.

[@splash5974]

Ya mines doing the same...Just about tore everything apart driving across town, when the outdrive started going down and rubbing asphalt. Lucky i caught it before doing any real damage.

[@talltreeconstruction491]

Dude sweet wrench trick

[@patharrison2131]

Totally Awesome video !!! After watching this I was able to rebuild my cylinders with no problems.

[@BobsterAction]

Great Video! very helpful thank you! going to start on mine rn.

[@jakeroth5809]

Done amazing video my friend thank you you save me lots of money

[@josephzinni4969]

Great video…so helpful to me. Thank you!

[@AchikSarih]

Merci beaucoup ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@joshuakarn9944]

What is the "mercruiser spec" for torque on those bolts?

[@christhornton137]

Thanks for sharing this information sir very helpful

[@freddysnow]

awesome video, I'm trying this weekend.

[@cajunman7389]

What size bolts did you use in that wrench you made?

[@MrGeorgeferreira]

hi..are these rams bravo iii or they are all the same for bravo i or alphas?

[@LukeMAXM]

If oil came out, why don’t you put oil back in?

[@gregorherzog5453]

Great video! Do you have the parts number for the seal kits?

[@bbhuchuk]

i tried this but the other end spun off? ??? is it now garbage

[@kodagaming9437]

Man this is helpful.. I'm gonna take on this task this week.

[@rebuilthip7825]

Like the tool you made don't know if mine will come out due to corrosion.

[@ClaudioCoto]

Thanks for the detail. Very useful.

[@dominiquetardieu9594]

Nice job ,going to repair mine thanks

[@crazylegs5106]

Uh oh. You got the Corona on your workbench. Thanks for the how-to!

[@ashipshow]

For those that have asked for what kit I used, I went with the Sierra kit, but most are good, just make sure your kit has the copper wiper and not steel. I have double checked and this kit works for all alpha and bravo drives. The OEM mercruiser part number is 25-87400A2, Sierra is 18-2649

[@blossom2174]

Great video, but I have one question. When you tightened the bolt at the end of the rod, you tightened it to Merc Cruiser spec. Would you please tell me what the torque value is or where the value can be found? Thanks.

[@ashipshow]

The spec I used is from the mercruiser service manual for alpha 1 gen 2 drives... check out boatinfo.no for merc manuals

[@MrGeorgeferreira]

Ecellent video .Thank you

[@TheFlybyman]

Nice TIP !!!

[@mchaves7663]

The milk oil, is it normal Auto oil used instead of marine grade hydraulic oil?

[@ashipshow]

I refilled my system with regular 10w30 motor oil... or you can buy mercruisers trim fluid.. both are listed in the manual as options

[@zacharyoliver5332]

I got that spanner!!!

[@josephzinni4969]

Thank you so much!

[@dianemasters1283]

Gasket/thread sealer for the end cap? Lock tight for the bolt on the other end of the shaft?

[@ashipshow]

yep

[@dj8349]

Link to seal kit??

[@stephenavageanos1957]

Thank you

[@billmadle1235]

Great job!

[@tonymason9215]

Hi, can somebody tell me what torque is used on the bolt on the end of the shaft

[@ashipshow]

17.5 ftlb

[@tonymason9215]

@@ashipshow many thanks.tony.uk