Re: transom water leak
Been there, done that last year on our 280 Sundancer.
Yes, the swivel seal can be replaced without removing the engine, BUT....... if the seal is gone there is a better than average chance the gimbal ring and top pin are shot as well. Basically the pin is held into the gimbal ring with a u-bolt. The top of the ring is split in the area where the pin is installed. The u-bolt pulls the two sides together and clamps the pin in place. Just like a muffler/tailpipe connection. The u-bolts have a history of stretching and allowing the head of the pin to wobble around bashing and enlarging the aluminum mounting socket in the ring. Once the pin starts to wobble the seal takes a beating. This also is a cause of major play in your steering.
There is a Merc sanctioned repair process that involves drilling two holes on either side of the top of the transom ring. That allows the tech to undo the nut that holds the steering arm onto the top pin. Once that nut is off, the u-bolt can be loosened that holds the top pin into the transom ring. A little wiggling and the gimbal ring comes off.
This is a about an eight hour job when all other things are factored in like replacing the water pick up hose that goes through the transom, gimbal bearing etc. The parts from Merc for the basic job are about $ 1400 for a new gimbal ring, u-bolt, pin and seal. If you choose to add new bellows, new trim units, and water pick-up price goes up. But while everything is off this will be the time to get everything done.
There are re-building services that will refurb your existing ring and supply you with an upgraded pin and u-bolt. However you will have to supply your ring(s) for them to refurb and return to you. I considered using one service that has gotten good reviews from one of the SR user's forums. Unfortunately for me, my boatyard was not able to tie up a work bay during spring commissioning season to wait for my ring to be sent out and returned, so I went with a new ring. FYI the replacement ring from Merc has a larger u-bolt, hopefully this will prevent a re-occurrence.
