Steering Cylinder

[Fish On]

Just brought my boat in for a leak in the steering cycinder by the engine. Steering is stuttery and has a lot of slack when changing directions. Marina says I can't just replace a seal and need to buy a whole new cylinder for about $400. Does this sound right? Is there a cheaper source for the cylinder? Is this a job to try and do myself?

Motor is a 95 Johnson Ocean runner 175 HP.

Thanks for any advice!

[teaser]

Did that on my boat last year, I have a 200 HP V6 Evinrude.

I tried to do it myself and I'll tell you it's just not worth the aggrevation you have to go through with bleeding the lines and everything.

For that price I'd let them do it in a heartbeat, just make sure it includes the parts, all the labor and you don't have to wait until November to get your vessel back.

Just as a comparison, I did my own and screwed something up so I had to have it done professionally anyways, so it cost me twice.

And the cost of the pro doing it was still 3 times what they want to charge you.

Tight Lines - Steve

[Fish On]

Thanks steve, that makes me feel a bit bettter.

I called another marina and they told me there is a seal kit available for $75, but to replace the seals the job is a bit messier. He warned me though that if the rod is scored that the new seals will be chewed up anyway. I'm a bit disappointed that my marina didn't tell me about the seal kit to begin with. When I mentioned it to them, they told me the labor would be higher and that the rod was pitted by salt water.

I can't help but think that I did something to cause this though. This spring I found a grease niple on the cylinder and gave it a few shots of marine grease. I'm wonering if that was not a grease nipple after all and should not have had grease injected into it. It seemed to start leaking right after I did that. I at least need to straighten my knowledge of what that nipple is for in this process.

Just did the power pack last week...$500. Steering cylinder this week $500. Water pump at the same time....$250.

Realing in a 48 lb striper and taking the first spot on the leaderboard at the MV Derby....priceless.

Some money goes to bait....for the rest of it there's your boat.

BOAT=Break Out Another Thousand.

[teaser]

Funny you mentioned that nipple ... I did the same thing and guess what, it did the same thing that happened to you.

It started leaking right after I greased that sucker! Til this day I don't know if its a grease fitting or not but I do know that I won't ever be greasing it again there!

My rod was pitted, thats why my 1st attempt failed. My mechanic did tell me though it was possible to happen, I should've listened to him. Now I don't touch a thing, out a few dollars by not doing it myself but I consider that a good trade off for not having to deal with finding the parts and installing them ( correctly I always hope) plus the time lost if I screw something else up.

My mechanic works for Gifford Marine in Dartmouth full time, I get him to come to my house to work on my boat when I need him and I don't have to pay the marina the big bucks they want, usually 1/3 the price now.

You should check into that, see if you can hijack one of the mechanics for a little on the side work, most of them appreciate the extra money as you know the marina's are not paying them those big dollars we give them thieves.

I started doing this when the cost of maintainance was getting way out of hand at the marina,yeah they'd fix the problem but then it would seem that shortly after that there'd be another for them to fix.

Plus I'd have to wait to get the boat back, usually 2-3 weeks being they're so busy, or so they say. Now it gets done within a day or 2 at my convienence, just can't beat that.

Thought I'd mention that for any future endeavors you might have and save you a few bucks and the time. Might be something to think about.

Tight lines my friend!

[Fish On]

Wow, what a coincidence.

I'd love to find a mechanic like that. If anyone knows someone like that in Southern NH please send him my way with a PM.

I wonder if anyone knows whether or not that is a grease nipple. I'll be asking the marina tomorrow. We'll see what happens.

[Fish On]

Well there are two nipples and they are for bleeding the air and not for grease. Oh well. Live and learn.