Steering pin/transom assembly moisture

06Rinker270

Does this look like I have a leak or is this normal?  Is the white stuff corrosion?
 Thanks all.

aero3113

Yea, that’s your steering pin seal starting to leak.

skennelly

Agree.  Its such a poor design

rasbury

It really is...I can see 50 years ago but come on merc...

06Rinker270

outdrive needs to be removed?  Should I do immediately or ok to wait until end of season when boat is hauled?

Ian

End of season. Yes and gimbal ring, check for side to side movement as you may need pin and/or ring. It’s a PITA job.

06Rinker270

Gimbal bearing was done in May of 2016.  How often do they go?

aero3113

If you’re going to get the pin replaced, replace it at the same time along with the bellows.

skennelly

The engine has to be pulled in order to do the steering pin.  There is an option out there by J R Marine created for doing it without but I don't thinks shops will do it.

http://jrmarine.com/videos.htm

Ian

There’s also a Merc method that I used - a hole each side versus cutting out the face. I didn’t want to pull the engine, preferred to swear at it while doing it saving money.

Spyderweb

Marina did mine last winter using method @icoultha mentioned.  Quoted price for doing steering pin plus bellows was $2500.  

06Rinker270

It cost you $2500 to use the Merc method?

skennelly

The gimbal ring if it's damaged is around $1000 by itself...most of the time it is damaged.  While you are in there look at bellows, gimbal bearing ect...

It's not an easy job any way you attack it.

06Rinker270

How often is gimbal ring replaced?  

skennelly

The problem is if the steering pin becomes corroded and leaks it gets loose in the gimbal ring and as it moves around it rounds out the square key hole in the gimbal ring.  So it really depends on how much if any damage has been done.  You might get lucky.

Bad looks like this or worse.  It should be square.

Spyderweb

06Rinker270 said:

It cost you $2500 to use the Merc method?

Not positive what the method was called, but there’s a hole on either side of the housing now.

skuter99

pretty sure that is the Merc method.

Dream_Inn

06Rinker270 said:

Gimbal bearing was done in May of 2016.  How often do they go?

Well, mine has been done 3 times since then one drive and twice since then on the other.  Outdrives are a big pain.  Next boat won't have them!!

skennelly

@Dream_Inn - totally agree.  Everytime I have work done there something else wrong that's big bucks.  Stern drives suck

06Rinker270

My wife and have have been discussing how we want a boat without an outdrive.  It takes up most of my maintenance cost every year. always something.

YYZRC

So...

At least one of my steering pins is leaking. Maybe both. I just did transom assembly work (bellows gimbal etc) over the winter and sadly the tech did not note that the steering pins should be replaced. 

From what I’ve read, and what’s posted above, the gimbal ring may also need to be replaced along with the steering pins. So probably a $5000 job when it’s all said and done. 

My question - why shouldn’t I just live with the leaking pin? What’s the risk? Aside from the annoyance of a wet bilge of course. I guess one day the steering pin might finally rust through and break?

aero3113

@YYZRC , you can live with it. Keep an eye on the components for corrosion though. I have no play in the ring and mine are leaking slightly. Trying to decide if I want to have the work done over this winter or next. The $5k amount would/should get you a new transom assembly and installation.

skennelly

If the corrosion gets bad enough and the gimbal ring gets damaged you could lose steering.  That happening while cruising could be very bad.

Spyderweb

I had my starboard side done last Fall.  Quoted price was $2200 for steering pin and bellows replacement.  I lived with the leak for 2 seasons.  Had trouble finding someone to do work.  

YYZRC

skennelly said:

If the corrosion gets bad enough and the gimbal ring gets damaged you could lose steering.  That happening while cruising could be very bad.

Would only lose steering on one drive though. I assume the drive would naturally center without any steering stability?

YYZRC

aero3113 said:

@YYZRC , you can live with it. Keep an eye on the components for corrosion though. I have no play in the ring and mine are leaking slightly. Trying to decide if I want to have the work done over this winter or next. The $5k amount would/should get you a new transom assembly and installation.

Doesn’t the engine have to come out to replace the transom assembly? That’s more than I want to tackle. 

aero3113

Yes, at least pulled forward.