Trim tabs operate at greatly different speeds

[skibum]

Good evening everyone. We finally got the boat splashed on Friday afternoon. Had a great weekend hanging out and cruising the wimpy part of the Bay on Saturday and Sunday. Everything appears to be running great with the exception of my starboard trim tab.

The boat was on a work rack when we got there, and I had a buddy operate both tabs at the same time. The port tab starts moving immediately when the button is pressed and operates smoothly until it is fully extended. The starboard tab takes about 1/2 second before it starts to move, and it squeeks and creaks while in motion. The port tab goes from fully retracted to fully extended in about 5 seconds, the starboard tab takes about 8 or 9 to make the same trip. Is this normal? On the water, the difference is enough to make trimming the boat a little tricky. I use a little down on both tabs at the same time to smooth out the ride. It would be nice to be able to hit both trim buttons for 1/2 second and get the same amount of travel out of each tab.

I took a cursory look in the engine compartment and both tabs appear to be driven off of one pump. I assume that the starboard cylinder needs to be cleaned or overhauled. How difficult of a job is it to rebuild a trim cylinder? Does Bennett make a kit? Any other advice? :smt100

Thank you!
Michael

 

[fwebster]

The actuators are not worth rebuilding......just replace them. The last on I bought was about $60.

But first, check the fluid level in the resevior and be sure there is enough fluid in it because it sounds like the system may have air in it.

 

[Dave S]

Skibum........... I noticed mine work the same way. The one on the starboard side is slower to activate than the one on the port side but I have not tested mine out of the water yet.

Dave

 

[tginz]

I installed Bennett's new EIC5000 system last year. Basically it gives a read out on the dash of tab position and returns the tabs to the full up position when the engine is shut down. GREAT features -should have installed it years ago. I can see on the digital read out how the tabs move at different speeds. I can't say for sure which one retracts first But they do not move at the same rate. I never noticed this before and I questioned Bennett ( who by the way have incredible customer service !!!!!! Ask for MJ Thomas). I was told this is normal and has to do with the length of the hydaulic lines. SO that answers mine own question. Pump is on port, port line is short, yes the port tab retracts first and quicker.

tginz

 

[tginz]

Almost forgot - the creeking is debris trapped in the hinge joint at the front of the tab where is attachs to the hull. I pulled mine off, a little grease, done. You will find the tabs are a two part assembly. I flat plate on the hulls with a socket toward the hull and the tab with a socket facing up. You actually only have to loosen the hull plate and the two screws hold in the tab cylinder - lower the tab toward the ground and it comes right off for cleaning. When re-assembling - But don't forget to caulk around the screw holes AND under the stainless hull plate.

Again - can't hear it in the water, but on a trailer is sounds horrid. I'd recommend 2-4-C Mercury Grease.

tginz