Having Problems with my Bravo Drive.. It goes all the way up with no problem, and shuts off once it gets to the stop point, but when i try to bring it down, it goes about 1/2 way down, but does not shut off, so if i press on the trim switch, it sounds as if, it's still engaged but not moving.. i just noticed it this past weekend.. does it sould like it has air in the lines.. i was also by myself, so i was hopping in and out of boat, so it could just b me..lol, i have an electrical trim sender guage that does not work either, so that didn't help.. :-( but i'm looking to go with the stainless marine mechanical one...Any suggestions

Thks Q

Q,
there are bypass valves in the trim pump so if the drive is stopped by an obstruction, the pump will run and not force it down to destroy anything.. Check carefully to see if there is anything the drive is hitting when it comes down..
Make sure all the hinge pins and gimbal pins are intact.. Try to move the drive up and down, if there is any play, it might be causing the problem. Otherwise it could be something in one of the trim rams.. But that is not common from what I have heard of.
Hope that helps.
Dick

I would try and disconnect the trim rams from the drive and see if the drive will go all the way down. If it will, I'd bet anything the problem lies within the rams themselvs.

Good call Razor! I was hoping it would be obvious and he could see the problem or obstruction. Removing the rams would isolate it...

Let us know Q..

thanks guys..hopefully i can get to it this weekend..

cheers

Finally, got up to check the rams out.. have not disconnected anything, but i did hav a buddy stand on the drive as i lowered it.. and it did lower pass the stuck point.. he says the noise or binding was coming from the ram seals..they are not leaking, so do i have to change out the seals or is there another quick fix i can try..
thks again,

Q

Just rebuild the rams. Quick and cheap.

The pressure from the pump is higher for up than down, so the unit will stop first in down. The problem is either internal friction in the rams or a pressure problem in the pump down side. If the rams are removed and pushed in and out, friction will show by difficulty moving them. If the pump is the problem you probably have an oildyne pump. You can because the lines come into the side of the pump instead of the bottom in prestolite.

If youi remove the oil tank and sit the pump complete on a baking pan for spilling the check is easy.
The pump has several tubes hanging from the pump, one has the end with a screen, this is the input.
if you shorten a beer can so the input tube hits into the can and put oil in the can, you can run the pump up and down. There are two other tubes hanging outside the can in space. If you run the unit up or down and oil comes out of these tubes instead of the drive moving, the relief valve for that direction is leaking, If oil leaks from these tubes the unit does not move. These valves are available from merc or you can clean them. The position on the tube is critical because if you lower the nut and allow to screw the tube further the pressure goes higher. If you just loosen the nut so you can remove the tube by unscrewing it out of the hole use the unchanged nut to relocate the tube position.
When the tube comes out a spring and ball comes out. If you clean the spring, the ball, and the seat where the ball hits, then replace the tube and retry the pump. if the tubes still leak, reclean or buy a new valve tube. If the leak stops the pump will work and drive will move. Congrats! Caution! If the ram goes faster then it used to, you have relocated the nut tighter and have a dealer check up and down pump pressure.

If this scares you, after the leak shows up take the pump to a dealer and ask them to change the valves. This will save money because the dealer does less work, And you will feel beter.
good luck. Buddy.

Try running the pump for a few seconds against the top stop. The rams have "memory" pistons, a pop off internal double piston. If oil is trapped between the pistons, it may not travel fully to the in position. Running the pump for a short time after the drive seems to be fully trimmed out should push the memory piston properly against the piston connected to the rod, forcing the oil between through the relief port in the piston.