I have a '97 top gun with bravo 1's. My port outdrive will raise up at the correct speed but is very slow going down. Something is obviously wrong with the hydraulic system. I have done my boat/engine work myself for years so I am fairly mechanically inclined but hydraulic systems are not my strong suite. Could this be something simple that I could easily fix myself or does this usually mean a new pump? Any help or tips would be appreciated.
Thanks- MB

There are filters inside the tank on the trim pumps. I would start there

also verify there is no voltage drop in the circuit to the pump (high resistance) you can use a DVOM and remove current from the circuit. anything over 5 ohms would be excessive. or you can perform voltage drop with the circuit still connected on both the power and ground circuits and see if youre loosing any voltage.

might sound all too simple....did you check the hinge pins and pivot points for binding/lube?

I will check those items this weekend
Thanks-

Sounds like 1 cylinder has a bad o-ring and if going down its bypassing ?!
Just a guess !!

the rams and pumps are pretty reliable, i've got 570hrs on a 1987 without issues...experience tells me it's something else...(lack of clean grease somewhere)..however, a ram rebuild is as easy as they come...just keep stuff really clean and use the proper tools...if the pump's never been abused (run dry or contaminated with the wrong oil)...it really should just be a cleansing thing...