Rebuilding a Mercruiser Alpha One Trim Cylinder

This shows how to take apart a jammed Mercruiser Alpha One Gen 2 trim cylinder. These are pretty simple to work on and the reseal kit is less than $20 per cylinder.
Assuming mine is a typical stuck cylinder, the cause appears to be a seal jamming the rod. This is a price point boat, so a pipe wrench was used to remove the end cap, a fish hook used to remove the old seals that were stuck due to corrosion, and a mason jar to drink my coke...lol
Hope it helps you out!

[@alejandrocaraballo2762]

Way to go, Rick! You just save me a bunch! I have a Gen 1 outdrive and both my rams were seized. Lock frozen. I thought they were done for good. I was about to buy me a pair of compatible (refurbished) SEI for $320 and just before to press the button decided to check youtube. Magic as usual, you were there telling me exactly what I needed to know. God bless! It's an easy work, seal kits are $18 per side in Amazon (GLM 87400), got 'em next day and in a couple of hours my rams were on the boat again, soft as new and working perfect. Never mind the parts you didn't shoot, anyone can figure those out. Discovering and sharing the knowledge of what the problem was it's priceless! Thank you for this video, man!!

[@dirtydirty1794]

Thank you for the very valuable information ! Have not done of these in years ! Got to working on mine and did not wanna chew it up wit pipe wrench. Makita: 4-1/2” spanner fits this perfect if it will save someone some trouble and the have a Makita grinder ! Once again, thanks for investing your time and knowledge !

[@Oouther1]

Got them back together and repainted, works great with no sticking!

[@francismcquillan4639]

Worked out great for me- thanks for the great video-keep them coming

[@markhallin11]

it really was just that easy ! i fix one today in less than an hour . Thanks

[@MeadowsJames]

Thanks for posting.

[@gm1937]

Thanks for posting this. I have the same issue and wanted to ask is it possible to remove the internal part without taking the trim cylinder completely off the boat?

[@Oouther1]

I believe so, but the hoses probably still need to be disconnected to remove the internals.

[@gm1937]

@@Oouther1 thanks for replying. These things are insanely expensive in our post-pandemic inflation world.

[@davidburchard3178]

it seems like any scratches or divets in the shaft would cause the system to leak down when left in the upright position. Did you polish down the lip that it was catching on? Did yours remain working good after this or did you eventually have to replace them?

[@Oouther1]

Didn’t polish anything, never had another moment’s trouble from them🙂

[@andrewYurth]

Do you have the part number for the seal kit or maybe a link to where you got them

[@Oouther1]

In Amazon look up Mercruiser trim cylinder kit, there’s one for $10.99 with free 2 day shipping. 25-87400A2

[@andrewYurth]

Also if you don’t mind how did you get your siezed end cap off the shaft

[@Oouther1]

@@andrewYurth remove the rod, remove the bolted on end piece, reinstall back into the housing and work it off from there. A long bolt or something thru the end eye to help gain leverage will help. It’s tough!!!

[@floridagirl386]

How do you disconnect the Ram from the lines? Will fluid come out when I disconnect the lines?

[@Oouther1]

I unscrewed them at the bottom of the transom mount, just use a wrench.

[@floridagirl386]

@Oouther1 I got them off. Lol I was scared since they were under pressure hahahaha

[@Oouther1]

@@floridagirl386 dry little pressure unless the pump is running, good luck!!!

[@husstler1988]

Why do you not show what you’re doing. Cutting the scene makes the video difficult to understand

[@Oouther1]

I can't hold the camera and perform a two handed operation. No one was around to film it. Sorry!