Trim cylinders

[ericcarr2000]

I removed my bravo drive last week for maintenance and was surprised on how tight everything seemed to be along with how nice the drive fluid looked, no shaving whatsoever in it or anything. So after further consideration I will not be replacing my lower unit, just gonna scuff it up, primer it and give it about 5 coats of appliance epoxy paint. Looks real nice now.
My question is, I want to repaint my trim cylinders. When I hook them back up is there some sort of a technique I have to do to "Bleed" them like a hydraulic brake line on a car?
Can I just re-connect them and fill the fluid?

 

[DeepBlue2010]

No, you have to bleed them. The procedure is explained in the service manual. Look up your model/year service manual in the Adults only sticky by Don S and read the procedure. Best of luck

 

[Bt Doctur]

install the cylinders, let them hang straight down or down far enough so that they dont drag on the ground, cycle them out, check the oil , cycle them in ,check the oil.
once or twice and your done

 

[ericcarr2000]

Ok so all I really have to do is cycle them the up and down cycle and check the fluid level every so often, no need to "Bleed" them like a brake line then?
I just didn't know if I needed to do as they do on the brakes like pumping them, open a valve, hold it down then close it...things like that..
If all I really have to do is raise & lower it a few times, then that doesn't seem bad at all.....

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Ok so all I really have to do is cycle them the up and down cycle and check the fluid level every so often, no need to "Bleed" them like a brake line then?

Correct, but i would remove the words "every so often". You need to make sure the pump doesn't run dry- just keep the reservoir topped up as you do it.

The reason you have to bleed brakes is because there is only ONE line to each wheel cylinder or caliper, and fluid never returns in any great quantity. Your trim cylinders have TWO lines each (they are double acting), so air returns to the reservoir with return oil from the ineffective end of the cylinder each time you move it.