Mini,
I'm not sure on the smaller hp Mercs, but on my 225 Optimax, the bolt heads that the "cups" fit into do turn when you turn the engine. If mine is not centered prior to bringing it down to the cups on the LnS, I have to go turn the steering wheel to line them up. Once down on the cups, if you try to turn the steering wheel, it will not make the engine turn more than maybe 1/2 a degree - not really enough to even see - but for sure - the engine will not turn even by turning the steering wheel once its down into the cups.
I've also heard of people bending the pins on them - most every case was something fairly severe though - someone rear-ending the motor with their vehicle, someone hitting a huge pothole or running up on a curve at a high rate of speed, etc... - most of those incidences of pins bending were not "normal use" situations - and even the ones that were severe - the LnS still did it's job. It may have been "toast" afterwards.... but still did it's job.
Paul, the "pins" he is refering to are the small pins that go into the holes on the motor - the ones that retract for you to put it on and take it off. Basically, they bent so hard during some extreme circumstance, that they had to be removed by force. The "extreme circumstances" I've seen would have turned a conventional transom saver into a pretzel. I have seen a severely bent set of pins - to the point they would not move at all. Didn't need to be cut out though - just took a large pin punch and hammer and tapped them out from the sides. Again - extreme conditions. I've trailered with mine for over two years - looks like new to this day.
All the best,
Glenn
