Boat Leveler - Insta trim tabs seal replacement
Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 8:34 am
If you Insta trim tabs and the cylinders are leaking, Boat Leveler sells a replacement seal kit for about $15. The bottom of the cylinder unscrews and then the piston comes out with a big spring.
There are 3 seals all the way at the top which get replaced. It's about 20 mins per side and easy to do.
It comes with instructions which don't say:
1) do it with the tabs up on the UP position
2) disconnect the hoses on the pump motor (one side if only doing one)
3) punch out the retaining pin (tab end) with a punch and hammer
4) unscrew the end of the cylinder with BIG Channel Locks. I used an adjustable oil filter wrench. There's a flat spot on each side which might not be easy to see if it has years of bottom paint.
5) The piston is under pressure from the spring so keep your hand over it as you get to the last threads.
6) expect a gush of oil when you remove the piston
Bleed the system by removing the fill plug and running the tabs up/down 3-4 times. They won't do anything at first until the lines fill up and you'll see the level drop. You'll definately need to top off the fluid.
Replace the seals and reverse. The pins are designed to shear if you hit something which I didn't know. The old ones were fine but new ones are only a $1.50.
Bob
There are 3 seals all the way at the top which get replaced. It's about 20 mins per side and easy to do.
It comes with instructions which don't say:
1) do it with the tabs up on the UP position
2) disconnect the hoses on the pump motor (one side if only doing one)
3) punch out the retaining pin (tab end) with a punch and hammer
4) unscrew the end of the cylinder with BIG Channel Locks. I used an adjustable oil filter wrench. There's a flat spot on each side which might not be easy to see if it has years of bottom paint.
5) The piston is under pressure from the spring so keep your hand over it as you get to the last threads.
6) expect a gush of oil when you remove the piston
Bleed the system by removing the fill plug and running the tabs up/down 3-4 times. They won't do anything at first until the lines fill up and you'll see the level drop. You'll definately need to top off the fluid.
Replace the seals and reverse. The pins are designed to shear if you hit something which I didn't know. The old ones were fine but new ones are only a $1.50.
Bob