Merc 2.5L EFI Tilt Lock

[prcdjhnsn]

Does anyone know how to remove the tilt lock plunger and internal parts. As you can see in the picture I broke the plastic plunger that locks the tilt lock lever. I talked with mercury and they dont know and said that the service manual doesnt say either. I asked a couple of local shops and they dont know.

Thanks for your help!

[Carter Powell]

I hate these things, they are a pain. Here is the deal. First tilt the motor as high as you can get it without hitting anything. You will see a plastic piece that holds the left and right tilt arms together with a spring. Take some needlle nose pliers and pop that spring off and then pull the cotter pins out of the plastic piece and then you can slide the tilt arms out each side. They will just pull straight out. Next try to hammer an old screwdriver flat blade into the broken piece and screw it out like taking out a bolt. It is made up of an outer aluminum threaded sleeve that threads into the steering bracket. It will come out. It screws out to the left like any right handed thread. Once you have removed it just find some nice rubber plugs or something to fill the holes and you are done. You don't need these things at all.

Best wishes, Carter Powell

[prcdjhnsn]

Thanks Carter, I will try that today. When you say that you dont need these things at all, what do you mean? I was told that when traveling on the road to make sure I set the motor on the tilt lock and not let the hydraulics hold it. I would like to know your opinion on this. If I dont have to trim all the way up to travel that would be great since it bends the cables pretty far not too mention it takes time to trim it up and down that far. It takes 2 people right now with the broken button.

Thanks, Carlton

[Carter Powell]

Carlton:

The single ram is more than strong enough to carry the load of the motor in travel if you wish. What most people will do is to get an aluminum motor support that mounts at the back of the trailer ( removable of course) and has a V support bracket that fits against the lower unit of the motor and this will allow the motor to rest against this support and take any load away from the tilt cylinder, this is what I do.

Best wishes, Carter