Steering cylinder?

[ugbandtulsa]

Ok guys, I'm having trouble finding a clear breakout diagram of my power steering cylinder...85 mercruiser 350, with alpha 1. It's mounted to the transom just to the side of the starboard engine....Anyway, the large (maybe 1") single nut that I believe holds the steering wheel cable input seems to be loose. I tried to tighten it but it seems like it's all the way down. It looks like these two assemblies are "broken apart" a little, and it looks like there's a rubber gasket in there that might be leaking fluid. Is it safe to disassemble this component or will it just explode with parts if I mess with it? Can I loosen this big nut and refit it on there, with a new gasket, or will the whole ram assembly have to come off? Do these cylinders commonly break at the large nut?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Don S]

Re: Steering cylinder?

Not sure I actually understand what you are trying to describe, but what you need is a Mercruiser service manual. Here is a link to a FREE online manual. Locate section 6A, it's on power steering.
Then, if you have questions, you can at least reference the section and page number and picture number to help describe your problem.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf