Mercruiser R drive Trim Ram rebuild

[artificialreef]

Hello again friends. I have actually gotten both motors running on my resto of the basketcase i purchased, and am moving on to the outdrives. One drive's tilt/trim was frozen so i yanked the pump out and unfroze it with a new motor and some flushing and pump parts. All my rams have the lockring that is supposed to hold the scraper on the ram shaft dangeling. Anyhow the cheap sob i am i decided to rebuild my rams. First off. My spanner wrench would not take the cap off. I ended up using a torch and a pipewrench.
long story short, I read the disassembly and reassembly of the pdf file and I counted the o-rings and seals and dont think i have to disassemble the spring assembly. I dont see whats replaceable there. Anyone rebuild a trim ram on here before.

Question: Is it necessary to disasseble the spring and check ball assembly when re-fabbing this ram?

Its an R-drive with the supply and return external. 2 lines.

 

[artificialreef]

Re: Mercruiser R drive Trim Ram rebuild

I bet there are alot of folks out there with that lock ring dangeling from their ram, and the scraper not present. I am going to try to make the groove in the aluminum cap a little deeper with a dremel to see if lasts a little longer. I think their original design was a little weak for that scraper,washer,lockring combo.

 

[artificialreef]

Re: Mercruiser R drive Trim Ram rebuild

I might even dimple the cap with a punch to keep it in. I know the ram is rebuilt.

 

[achris]

Re: Mercruiser R drive Trim Ram rebuild

.... Anyone rebuild a trim ram on here before.

I've done many.

Question: Is it necessary to disasseble the spring and check ball assembly when re-fabbing this ram?

Its an R-drive with the supply and return external. 2 lines.

Yes, you need to pull the piston off the end of the rod in order to remove the end cap from the rod. Once you remove the screw from the end of the rod, there is an 'o' ring under the piston that needs to be replaced. You also need to inspect the balls for wear...

I bet there are alot of folks out there with that lock ring dangeling from their ram, and the scraper not present.

Agreed..

I am going to try to make the groove in the aluminum cap a little deeper with a dremel to see if lasts a little longer. I think their original design was a little weak for that scraper,washer,lockring combo.

Once the corrosion has got under the scraper it's time to bin the cap. They have an anodised finish and any corrosion or 'dremelling' will break through that anodising and it will corrode so much faster. I have done what you're planning many times, and I have always ended up replacing the cap shortly thereafter...

Chris..........

 

[artificialreef]

Re: Mercruiser R drive Trim Ram rebuild

thank you very much for your insight and taking the time to answer Chris. That fact did not occur to me. I will start looking for new caps (here first). You pros are very much appreciated.

 

[artificialreef]

Quicksilver/mercruiser trim and steering fluid alternative.

Quicksilver/mercruiser trim and steering fluid alternative.

Hello again folks. I am wrapping up my trim repair on an R drive ( 2 external hydraulic lines on the ram). I am starting a new thread for this quick question. A couple of years ago i caught a K-mart liquidation and got a whole bunch of quarts of oils for like a buck each. I have like 5 quarts of stp power steering fluid and was wondering if that would be ok to substitute for the Quicksilver power trim and steering fluid recommended for the ram pump. Its the oildyne pump with the round aluminum resevoir. They state 10W-30 or 40, or Quickslilver power trim and steering fluid. STP is a pretty decent brand and it is made for hydraulics.
Thank you for your advice in advance.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Quicksilver/mercruiser trim and steering fluid alternative.

Re: Quicksilver/mercruiser trim and steering fluid alternative.

I have like 5 quarts of stp power steering fluid and was wondering if that would be ok to substitute for the Quicksilver power trim and steering fluid recommended for the ram pump.

Ayuh,... Go for it,... No problem....

 

[artificialreef]

Re: Mercruiser R drive Trim Ram rebuild

Thank you Bondo for your quick responce. You saved me another trip to the Theft Marine.

 

[artificialreef]

Re: Mercruiser R drive Trim Ram rebuild

Just a clarification for anyone trying this at home. I did remove the spring assembly from the shaft and replaced the o ring under there. What i didnt understand was how to remove the check ball assembly from the bolt that was removed. I later figured out you can just tap it off. I still dont think there is anything to replace in there except "checking the balls for wear" . Be careful that the assembly doesnt fall off and you loose the balls while your handeling it.