Broken Steering Arm on mercruiser

[LUCAS26]

Dear Friends

I have a 85-89 mercruiser 350 and during the weekend I went out for a spin and unfortunatelly I barely hit a rock in the breakwater. the prop is a bit dented but my steering arm or shift arm. I dont know what is the correct name, resulted broken in half as the same was all rusty. Can some one help me on brieft instruction on how to replace the same. I just changed the bellows, gimbal bearing etc and I am wondering that if will be nescessary to remove all these parts again in order to reach the center bolt of the steering arm. On the other hand, I have noted that I have a small leak comming form this center bolt that hold the steering arm, which is the caused of the same to get rusted.

any help will be appreciated.

Lucas from the republic of Panama

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Broken Steering Arm on mercruiser

If you have a broken steering arm, there are only two ways (that I know of) to get to the nut on top of the pivot shaft of the gimbal ring. Pull the engine (and outdrive) and remove the transom assembly to work on it (major PITA). The other way is to drill holes in the Top of the gimbal housing (after pulling outdrive) to access the nut with a punch and hammer (transom assembly major manual 4B). If you were replacing the arm only, you might be able do it without removing the bellhousing. If you have water up there, you probably need new pivot shaft seals, and you will have to remove the bellhousing and bellows to pull the shaft and replace the seals. If you are careful you may be able to reuse the bellows. Good luck.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Broken Steering Arm on mercruiser

Can some one help me on brieft instruction on how to replace the same.

Ayuh,... Pull the drive,.. Pull the motor,... Then pull the transom assembley...

The Best Fix for your's is going to be installing a used Freshwater transom assembley...
Trying to fix your rotten Saltwater unit will be an exercise in futility....
That vintage Alpha should run you about $250. or so here in the US....Check ebay regularly...

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Broken Steering Arm on mercruiser

I agree with Bond-O, if arm was rusty enough to break, the rest cant be much better-if at all. 'nutcase

 

[LUCAS26]

Re: Broken Steering Arm on mercruiser

Wow. It is a hole in the water where I am putting all my money. Thanks guys for the details.. I will start working on it tomorrow morning. I hope I do not have to remove the engine. I will see for the drilling option.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Broken Steering Arm on mercruiser

"It is a hole in the water where I am putting all my money" Welcome to boating! 'nutcase