Hi to all. Wondering if anyone can help with advice on repairing the tilt and trim unit on a 1988 Mercury 35hp outboard. Smacked a few stumps on Reelfoot Lake last year and tilt/trim is shot. Service manual is a little expensive but I would like to fix it on my own. Does anyone know where I can download the repair information for free online or can anyone steer me into how to repair this myself. Not sure if just the solenoid is shot, brushes, or whatever is inside the unit. All advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

You should be able to get a Clymer manual for that model for around $10-15 on ebay or on-line bookstores.  Those usually have info on PT/T for the motor.  

I'll Check Into That...Thank You

will the tilt/trim work in either direction. the first thing i would check is to make sure you getting power to the solenoids and if the solenoids are working. One way to do this is to take a screwdriver and ground the solenoids out on the two prongs. If the motor moves your solenoid is bad. If it dont the cahnces are your motor or hydraulic pump in the tilt/trim unit is bad.

try this link it has some good infohttp://www.outboard-motors.us/

The trim motor winds and you can hear it just not engaging to raise and lower it. Not sure if the brushes inside the housing are bad from whacking that stump or what the problem is. Prepared for the worst in having to replace the entire trim unit but am hoping something less expensive might cure the problem. I'll click on that link. I went ahead and ordered the manual anyway online. Thanks for the help