Raising ski pylon

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BobbyMac

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Model
Freedom 235
I’m having a tough time raising my ski pylon.
I have used some WD40 with silicone on the shaft, allowing it trickle down the shaft, AND lubricating the locking mechanism
I believe that the shaft must be pushed down with the palm of your hand, while releasing the locking mechanism. It won’t budge for me!!!
Any hints?
Thanks
 
Never used one of those - but from Coastal's picture you can see the notch in the top of the pylon where the locking tab would fit. Yes, you would push down on the post and then release the locking tab.

You MIGHT be pushing down too hard. If you push down too hard you would be binding the locking tab. If you can wiggle/jiggle the post, then it should pop up. Try pushing down SLIGHTLY.

If it still doesn't release, the you have to go after the release mechanism and play with it/bang it a bit to free it up.

Coastal, can you confirm that sounds about right?
 
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Dennis outlines the proper procedure for extending the tow bar I posted a picture of. The picture is of the bar on a 215 and may be used on other models.
I visited my local dealer to go over options for a factory order 215 and their in stock 215 had that tow bar. The salesman and I tried for a good 5 minutes to get the bar up, to no avail. My guess it needed a bit of lube and a slot screwdriver to get the latch loosened up. The bar itself would move down when pressed but we couldn’t get the latch to release. This was a showroom/boat show boat so not exposed.
 
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Coastboater said:
This one?
View attachment 31096
Click to expand...
DennisG01 said:
Never used one of those - but from Coastal's picture you can see the notch in the top of the pylon where the locking tab would fit. Yes, you would push down on the post and then release the locking tab.

You MIGHT be pushing down too hard. If you push down too hard you would be binding the locking tab. If you can wiggle/jiggle the post, then it should pop up. Try pushing down SLIGHTLY.

If it still doesn't release, the you have to go after the release mechanism and play with it/bang it a bit to free it up.

Coastal, can you confirm that sounds about right?
Click to expand...
I am having this same issue. I purchased 2022 last year. Have not been able to raise my pylon. I have sprayed silicone and WD40 on it. Thinking I may have to pull it out of boat to repair. Any suggestions before I do that? Release latch does not budge even tapping with hammer.
 
TomC said:
I am having this same issue. I purchased 2022 last year. Have not been able to raise my pylon. I have sprayed silicone and WD40 on it. Thinking I may have to pull it out of boat to repair. Any suggestions before I do that? Release latch does not budge even tapping with hammer.
Click to expand...
Resolved my issue using a hammer and chisel on release latch. Had to put more persuasion than I was comfortable with, but got it freed up.
 
Here’s a video of how it’s supposed to work:

Looks like brute force wins the day…again!
 
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I believe that if the shaft is not pressed down, the catch won't release. You might want to place something softish like a piece of wood on the shaft and give that some loving whacks with the hammer.
Or better said, the shaft should normally have some play ,up and down a little bit.
 
I have never used mine but when it does bind up, I hit it with WD-40 and hit it with a dead blow hammer. If you do get it to come up leave it on the first detent with about three inches of the nob sticking up.
 
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