I hope someone can help me. I dont know anything about my lift and other than maintenance on the engine have done nothing to it in the 20 years I have owned it. That said I only move boats around the yard with it and other than 600 pound at most outboards it doesn't lift any real weight. Now and then I lift the back of a boat maybe 2k to adjust trailer bunks or replace them. Never had an issue until a few months back the steering started to only work when idled up not very well at idle. Before I could turn lock to lock in neutral then suddenly it wouldnt and it only works when engine is reving. Then the forks started moving slow or not at all when pulling the lift handle. Same for tilting the forks. I figured I would open the tank and check the fluid and its clean no metal the strainer wasnt fowled I mean there was a small ring of black gunk around the very bottom and a small amount of sludge inside on the bottom that had settled. I am talking less than a half ounce just enough to notice not much at all. The fluid is not clear definitely has moister clouding it but not milky.

I have a parts book from Mitsubishi for my lift and engine but not a service manual. I work on boats so I am good at following instructions in a service manual to fix even the most complicated outboard. I have searched for a service manual and cant find a pdf. anywhere. If someone can point me to one it would be a huge help.

I only see the one what I would call a strainer on the bottom of the pickup tube going into the fluid tank. I followed the hoses to the valve body and there are no other filters that I see. The pump on my lift is mounted behind the radiator under the weight. I am guessing you are supposed to remove the weight to work on the pump? Is there another filter there? Is there a way for a regular person without another lift to pull the weight out the way? I am not even sure if my pump is bad just guessing its the most likely cause. Can you pull the radiator and get at it that way and leave the weight?

I see lots of Chinese pumps in the 300-400 range. Is there a pump I should look for that is known to be better than the china ones or are they fine?

Thanks for any help
Jason