one tab only going half down

[johngus]

hello,
i have a 1988 searay 30 weekender.my port tab is going all the way down and when retracted I can manually push it all the way down.My starboard tab will only go down about half and the pump runs but makes the sound like it is fully deployed.when retracted,I can only manually push the tab the same distance.Could the piston be bound internally?Thanks for any help.

 

[wvsundancer]

had this problem on my 98 Monterey 230 BR and it turned out to be an o-ring on the piston had split and lodged between the piston and the wall. no fix the metal had galled the piston wall had to replace both..

 

[Tabman]

Johngus,

Sorry for the delay in responding, somehow your post got in under my radar!

It is pretty unusual for an actuator to bind, but it can happen. Do you have Trim Tab position indicators in the system?

Do both pistons retract the same amount?

Lastly can you tell me the travel on the "good side"? It should be about 2-1/2".

Lastly did this just start happening or has it always been that way since you have had the boat? We make some actuators with different strokes and I am wondering if an incorrect one was put on the boat at some point in time.

Tom
Bennett Marine

 

[johngus]

Tom,
Thanks for the reply.I opened up the piston.the stop inside the piston was a different size from side to side.I cut 1 inch off the one with the problem,replaced the seals and reinstalled.They now both travel the same amount.The only thing I could think of is someone must have replaced this actuator at some point.Thanks for the help.I read your site and it did explain the use of a 1 inch shorter stroke actuator for some applications.seems like problem solved.

 

[Tabman]

Yes, the wrong actuator for sure, glad you got it fixed!

Tom