Jimbo2624
New Member
Well the trim sensors wires final met the end of life like so many others. I already have the outdrive off but the thought of pulling the gimbal and boot just to run the wires through the hull sucks, especially after I just replaced the boot last year. The design and routing of these wires is just down right stupid. Now that I have vented, I'll share how I'm replacing the trim sensors without removing the gimbal. I thing this method would work even if the outdrive was installed. I don't have any pics but here is how I got the old ones out (next post will report how well it went getting the new ones in).
1. Set-up your 1/4 drive with a couple extensions, you will need at least an 8" one to reach between the gimbal and the bolt that secures the wire clip.
2. Apply a little hand pressure to rotate the gimbal down as far as it will go. I have the trim cylinders off so it's easy.
3. Leave the socket off the 1/4" drive extension and it should just fit through the gap between the top of the gimbal and the transom mount.
4. Turn the steering so that the gimbal is rotated fully to stbd, this will create a decent gap on the port side. Using a long needle nose to hold an 11mm socket, install the socket on the 1/4" drive extension that's sticking through the top of the gimbal.
5. Holding the gimbal down, the 11mm socket will just line up with the bolt that holds the wire clip/ring and remove the bolt. It may be a little easier if you have a 1/4" wobble on the socket.
6. Enter the boat and find the leads coming through the hull and trace them out to disconnect. On my 260 Sundancer, the stbd sensor leads go to the harness near the trim pump and the port sensor leads go to the engine near the ECM control module.
7. Cut off the connectors so they go through the hole in the hull easy, but tie a long string on each set of wires. the string will attach to the new sensor wires to pull them through the hull.
8. Remove the two screws holding each sensor onto the gimbal. They will likely be hard to get out as the aluminum threads corrode. Soak with PB Blaster. Take your time and work them loose- your day will get long if you snap them off:smt089
9. Pull on the sensors and the rubber half seals should come out of the hull easy. Pull the wires to one side to remove the retainer clip. Continue pulling until the string is accessible.
I don't thing going back together will be so easy, especially making sure the half seals are seated. Getting the clip back on and the bolt back is going to be difficult, but doable. I will post how it goes. - Proteus
1. Set-up your 1/4 drive with a couple extensions, you will need at least an 8" one to reach between the gimbal and the bolt that secures the wire clip.
2. Apply a little hand pressure to rotate the gimbal down as far as it will go. I have the trim cylinders off so it's easy.
3. Leave the socket off the 1/4" drive extension and it should just fit through the gap between the top of the gimbal and the transom mount.
4. Turn the steering so that the gimbal is rotated fully to stbd, this will create a decent gap on the port side. Using a long needle nose to hold an 11mm socket, install the socket on the 1/4" drive extension that's sticking through the top of the gimbal.
5. Holding the gimbal down, the 11mm socket will just line up with the bolt that holds the wire clip/ring and remove the bolt. It may be a little easier if you have a 1/4" wobble on the socket.
6. Enter the boat and find the leads coming through the hull and trace them out to disconnect. On my 260 Sundancer, the stbd sensor leads go to the harness near the trim pump and the port sensor leads go to the engine near the ECM control module.
7. Cut off the connectors so they go through the hole in the hull easy, but tie a long string on each set of wires. the string will attach to the new sensor wires to pull them through the hull.
8. Remove the two screws holding each sensor onto the gimbal. They will likely be hard to get out as the aluminum threads corrode. Soak with PB Blaster. Take your time and work them loose- your day will get long if you snap them off:smt089
9. Pull on the sensors and the rubber half seals should come out of the hull easy. Pull the wires to one side to remove the retainer clip. Continue pulling until the string is accessible.
I don't thing going back together will be so easy, especially making sure the half seals are seated. Getting the clip back on and the bolt back is going to be difficult, but doable. I will post how it goes. - Proteus