Hydraulic steering ram

[sd38hatt]

Boatsb,

Do you happen to have the contact info of a shop near you? Would be cheaper to just ship it out for a rebuild than overpay here in socal.

Pull it and take it to a shop that rebuilds hydraulic rams. I had some done for about $50. Including paint and labor. By the time you do it yourself you will have almost that much on time and materials anyway

 

[Boatsb]

Boatsb,

Do you happen to have the contact info of a shop near you? Would be cheaper to just ship it out for a rebuild than overpay here in socal.

Ill look them up later or tonight.

 

[sd38hatt]

Thanks!

 

[cb48lrc]

A friend took his stablizer cylinders to a shop in Norfolk, they quoted $300 ea. I took them to a shop in Roanoke, VA and the cost was $75 ea. Ceep looking or pm me and I will hook you up with a good repair shop

 

[saltshaker]

$300 is insane unless the whole thing is shot. Last year I had to repair one of the ones on my TNT tender lift. It's a pretty specific piece and a new one was almost $1500. I was quoted $60-$70 to clean and reseal. Mine had some pitting from electrolysis so I had it completely rebuilt for $250, that included repairing the ram.

 

[sd38hatt]

Called the shop back to confirm, if it is shot, it will cost even more, $300 is just to clean, reseal and test.

 

[sd38hatt]

Got a local shop to rebuild the ram, no more leaks. Got it installed and bled the system, still no starboard steering. Port steering works when the relief valve is closed. So, I noticed a metal bearing ball sitting underneath the relief valve assembly. I have a hunch the prior owner messed up the valve when he bled the system prior to when I took delivery. (I knew there were steering issues and my offer was based on knowing some repairs were needed, like the ram rebuild.) I talked with him and he bled the system without loosening the relief valves (he didn't even know what it was), he had a friend that just opened up the bleeder nuts till it all the air was out. He thinks it is very possible a bearing ball could have came out when his friend was bleeding.

Anyway, I bypassed the relief valve for the starboard lines and now I have full steering. Looks like the relief valve is the main problem, and now it works temporarily. Now, do I attempt to fix the relief valve or just get a new one? The existing valve is not hynautic, and unlike anyone I have seen. Any ideas?