CMC kicker lift

[Rookie-Wis]

Hello all,

I've seen alot of posting regarding the CMC and Panther lift so I'm hoping someone has some experience with the CMC brand.

I have a CMC lift for my 15 4-stroke and have had it for two seasons now. Up until this weekend I was happy with it but now I need some advice on what to do with it.

While making a run on Bay De Noc Saturday I almost lost the motor due to a wear or what would seem to be a design issue with the way this lift raises. The two bolts that the lift part pivots on wore right through the plate. It would appear that the head of the bolt has been wearing on this plate because there is no washer there to protect it. One side broke off so the motor was hanging from the other side, which by the way was ready to go too due to the wearing on that side.

I always strap the motor tightly with a boat buckle while it's not in use and put the lift in the down position while trailering so stress on the cylinder is minimal.

Has anyone ever had this sort of a problem? Does anyone know if CMC has a website or Service number I could use? I know others that have this lift and have had good luck with it but this particular one did not last very long and I'm wondering what sort of options I have.

Thanks for any information you have regarding this issue!

Dewey

[RANGER]

Rookie,

First of all, here is Cook Manufacturings home page (the maker of CMC lifts and other products):

http://ss893.logika.net/cgi-bin/ss_sitemap?sitenbr=58362825&ct=0

Secondly, I had my lift for over four years, used it A LOT and trucked many miles of roadway much of which wasn't Highway and I NEVER had a single failure of either the lift or the superstructure holding it together.

Frankly, I'm puzzled. As I said, I never had a problem nor anyone else I know that has the CMC lift, both the 35 and the 130. When you said that there didn't appear to be any washers I was really confused. I no longer have the boat with the lift on it but I can remember at least 4 SS washers and 2 nylon bushings on that fulcrum bolt of the lift section. Sounds to me as though that wasn't properly installed in the beginning. After 4 years of use my unit showed "0" wear so I'm at a loss to explain what happened with yours. As a matter of fact I am planning to get a lift for the new boat and it will be a CMC. That's how confident I am of it!

[Rookie-Wis]

RANGER,

Thanks alot for the website. I sent them a note and we'll see what happens.

Like you I'm puzzled as to why this wore. I have friends with the same unit and they have had no problems what so ever.

There are some SS washers and bushings but there are no washers between the bolt head and the unit. That's where the problem was.

Thanks again!

Rookie

[Muskie Treats]

As a fastener distributor I can offer up the following causes that could have produced the failure.

1. Not enough bearing surface for the load. It isn't uncommon to have bolts pull through sheetmetal, castings and extrusions if the load isn't distributed evenly. If your sure there wasn't a washer in the failed application, you can be sure that it had something to do with it.

2. Bi-metal corrosion. Aluminum and stainless DO NOT MIX!!!!!! Both metals oxidize and corode quickly when in direct contact with each other, this is accelerated when the application is in the elements. Another factor that can accelerate the condition is if there is an electrical leak that is working it's way from the lift to the boat. The bolts would probably be the most direct path for the electrical leak to find a ground (through the boat into the water). Check your connections! Without seeing your setup I can't confirm or exclude this potential cause.

In the end, just get a Panther and you'll never have to worry about it.