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  1. #1
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    Check your jack plate bolts

    I raised my motor today and found 4 bolts a little loose, 1 missing, and 1 hanging by a thread. Motor has 1yr and 72 hrs run time on it Z Lock manual plate.
    2016 Phoenix 819 Mercury 200 Pro XS
    Kenny

  2. Member
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    #2
    Wow. Checked mine a few days ago. None real loose but 2 weren't torqued down. Tightened those up but I try to check them regularly

  3. BBC SPONSOR / PHOENIX MOD DREWTICK's Avatar
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    #3
    I keep a torque wrench in my truck just for jackplate, lugnuts and Prop
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  4. Member
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    #4
    if they are loose ? they will snap" I knew a few guys that did 0 maintenance on there rigs " & they paid the price !...

  5. Member
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    #5
    What’s the proper torque lbs on those bolts? Or do you just tighten them as tight as can get them? What size socket is needed for them as well?
    Last edited by laposta28; 02-08-2018 at 12:12 AM.

  6. Member rocketman6965's Avatar
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    #6
    90 ft lbs. I check mine at least every 5th trip. The transom to jackplate are 55 ft lbs but it's definitely a 2 man job because you only want to turn the nut as to not break the seal.

    Joe Perez
    Boatless white trash

  7. Member
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    #7
    I sent an e-mail to Phoenix last month. They said 55 for the jack plate to transom, and 80 motor to jack plate.
    "Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."

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    Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths

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    2015 Phoenix 919 225 Yamaha SHO


  8. Member rocketman6965's Avatar
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    #8
    You do 80. I'll do 90. That's what Don Weed on Mercury Forums recommends.

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Edwards View Post
    I sent an e-mail to Phoenix last month. They said 55 for the jack plate to transom, and 80 motor to jack plate.

    Joe Perez
    Boatless white trash

  9. Banned
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    #9
    the tq on those bolts will matter which bolt is used.

    fine thread 90
    course thread 80

  10. Member
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    #10
    Woops, I just checked the e-mail. it's 90.

    I'd have to go out and see which threads are on the bolts.
    "Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."

    -Henry David Thoreau

    Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths

    author unknown

    2015 Phoenix 919 225 Yamaha SHO


  11. Member
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    #11
    55 seems a little low. Maybe that's why mine seemed not so torqued. I didn't just get crazy with them but I snugged them pretty good

  12. Member
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    #12
    It's 55 so the transom isn't crushed in those small areas of the bolts. Which is why there is a long plate between the upper bolts. And should be a long plate for the lower bolts. Spreads out the pressure over a wider area/surface. I don't know if Phoenix installs a plate with the lower bolts, haven't heard, and I haven't looked, yet.
    "Everyone should believe in something; I believe I'll go fishing."

    -Henry David Thoreau

    Men and fish are alike. They both get into trouble when they open their mouths

    author unknown

    2015 Phoenix 919 225 Yamaha SHO


  13. Banned
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    #13
    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Edwards View Post
    Woops, I just checked the e-mail. it's 90.

    I'd have to go out and see which threads are on the bolts.
    The specs I posted are just the common specs for that size bolt grade 8.

    I havent used a tq wrench on something other than internal engine assembly in my lifetime.

    Tight is tight, nobody is going to break a 1/2 inch bolt by hand.

  14. Member Birdboy's Avatar
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    #14
    Torquing everything is in my 3 month maintenance schedule that I do on my boat along with fully cleaning the livewell. Not just the transom and mounting plate bolts, you should check all your steering hardware and fittings.

  15. Member
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    #15
    I think TH marine said 80 for jack plate bolts on Z LOCK and I did 90 on motor to JP and 55 for JP to transom. The one on mine that was missing and the one that was about to fall out were the bolts that hold the bottom plate that the jack bolt goes in.
    2016 Phoenix 819 Mercury 200 Pro XS
    Kenny

  16. Member
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    #16
    Always check your prop too. After 6 months, mine got loose enough to the point I could wiggle it. Put the torch wrench on it set on 20 lbs and it didn't click so it was bad loose!
    2017 618 Pro 175 ProXS