Replacing trim sender and limit switch without removing drive?

[thunder550]

My trim sender has quit working again. I've been fighting with it off and on for the past 3 years....replaced the disc inside, and spliced some new wires on it a couple times due to insulation splits and water getting inside. It quit working again and I'm tired of fighting with it, thinking it's time to but a new sender/limit switch kit from Merc and replace everything.

I have a Bravo 1 drive. I know the official method to change these senders and run the new wire through the transom assembly involves removing the drive. I don't want to do that. I've heard anecdotally that it can be done without removing the drive, but you have to get creative in getting the retaining bolt and plate out from behind the drive/gimbal unit or whatever it's called. Have any of you done this and can offer any tips or experiences?

[akorcovelos]

Mine is bad too, I looked at it for a long time and bottom line is the drive needs to come off. My gauge sending unit is ok, not accurate at all, but technically working. The trim limit sender is toast so I just bypassed it. You can tell when the drive it all the way up/down by the sound. I’ll replace both when I do the bellows in a year or two.

[Big Block Power]

I hear you T5billion. I heard guys using a string attached to it and pulling it through.