96 Yamaha 200 Saltwater Series trim/tilt

[Curious]

Trim/tilt started to hiccup on the up stroke a few times then I noticed fluid leaking out of the top of the middle/single shaft which is the tilt part of the trim/tilt equation.  Am I looking at a rebuid/replace in my future?  Anyone else experience this?  Can I replace an o-ring or seal on my own or is this best left to the professionals?
Thanks!  Dan

[flounderpounder225]

Trim/tilt started to hiccup on the up stroke a few times then I noticed fluid leaking out of the top of the middle/single shaft which is the tilt part of the trim/tilt equation.  Am I looking at a rebuid/replace in my future?  Anyone else experience this?  Can I replace an o-ring or seal on my own or is this best left to the professionals?
Thanks!  Dan

Must be the time for tilt cylinder failures.... Just got mine back last Friday, same thing.  The dust seal was starting to pop out, but it was leaking fluid.  Looked around for the spanner wrench to remove the cap, and it was about $75 for the wrench, called my local boat dealer and friend, he said he would replace the seals for around $100 couldn't beat that and support the local shop, now glad I did.  Apparently the seals had been leaking for a while, and the corrosion in the cylinder where you couldn't see it actually blew the seals out.  It took him all day to get the cap off and broke 2 spanner wrenches doing it, lots of pb blaster and patience, he finally got it apart.  As far as can you do it? Probably, the mechanics of replacing the seal once the cap is off and you pop the piston out, is pretty easy.  You buy the seals individually, there is not a seal kit.  My unit looked pristine, not one spot of corrosion on the outside, thing came out of the bracket and had it in my hands in 20 min.  $130 all redone and sealed, good deal in my book.  Sometimes it's not what you can or can't do, but what is your time worth?

[seabob4]

I do them, and it ain't fun...

[Curious]

Well I don't do them, so I know it wont be fun.  But I know I can't afford a days worth of labor either.....

[jdupree]

I am in the process of doing mine.  

I read over on THT and several other sites to try a punch instead of a spanner wrench.  I went to Harbour Freight and bought a punch that would fit in the hole.  I was able to get mine loose with that.  I just got it set good in one of the holes and whacked it several times counter clockwise and she came loose.  I did soak it with pb blaster several days before I made the attempt.  It looks like a pretty straight forward job to me now.

[seabob4]

John, I've never used the spanner ($$$), the punch works fine for me...  

[saltfly]

I guess I’m some what of a tool junky. I made my own . Used a torch and a grinder. Then drilled the holes for two pins and pressed them in place and weld them. A friend just use screws for the pins. Both do the job. But what I need to find is a better way to get that #$% pin out for top of the rod. With out beating the #$%@ out of it and causing it to flatten on the edges. I may be doing it the hard way, by taking the whole trim and tilt off the motor. So I can work on it on the bench. Can you get it a part with out doing that?

[seabob4]

Walt, know what you mean.  That's the way I do it, so that the pump rotates down to allow access to the 2 bolts on the back side.  Soak both ends of the pin with PB for several days, allow it to work into the corrosion that keeps the big pin from breaking loose.  And try a piece of 1" X 1" starboard tapered at the end to fit the diameter of the pin as your "punch".  Pretty damn stout and won't mushroom the end...

But PB is a definite must!

[saltfly]

I know what you mean about the PB. I buy it by the gal. can. I got a can a while back that came with a pump spray can attached. I’ve been using it ever since. I like it better then the aerosol. I can control it better and not as much waste. But you know what is dumb. I never have used it on the %^%$ pin. I guess I better start. da. I guess it goes to show you, how hard a bad habit can be to brake. Once you start doing something one way and never think about doing it differentlly, till some one tells you to.

[jdupree]

John, I've never used the spanner ($$$), the punch works fine for me...  

Can't remember Bob, but I think you might have even given me the "tip" about the punch

[Curious]

Thanks for the replies.  I'm gonna try this myself, I can't afford the shop right now.  I found a Youtube video that shows a guy using a wrench from a Dewalt grinder that fits perfectly.  Besides the PB, can I add heat if I have to or with that cause damage?  After I get it apart is there anything I should watch out for?
Thanks again, Dan