Steering actuator question

EvilZ · **Posted:** Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:17 am

Can steering actuators be rebuilt?

I had mine replaced and subsequently have the old one sitting in my garage. I'm wondering if I can rebuild it, or should just put it in the trash...

ht32bsx115 · **Joined:** Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:40 pm **Posts:** 278

I am surprised that no one has weighed in on this...

I don't think the Mercruiser actuators are rebuildable because There's no mention of repair in the service manual and there's no parts or kit for rebuild.

I had a look at the Volvo parts list for their actuator, and it's the same.

Now having said that If you could get it apart, hydraulic O-rings and other parts are pretty standard. I would at least try to to take it apart and see if I could rebuild it.

The Volvo actuator is pretty expensive as is the Mercruiser. I have seen new (old stock) Mercury actuators on ebay sell for less than $100. (there's one right now with a starting bid of $39.99, 14hrs left with no bids...There's also an OMC 1994-98 actuator there for 59.99)

There's also several Volvo actuators on there.

it's probably not really worth it to even try to rebuild one...

Cheers,

Rick

EvilZ · **Posted:** Sun Sep 13, 2009 9:32 am

Thanks for the reply.

I was thinking along the same lines - parts is parts....

I think I'll probably attempt to disassemble it, just to see what it's all about.

EvilZ · **Posted:** Fri Mar 19, 2010 6:04 pm

Well, here is how far I got....maybe a couple of "bits" I could replace if need be, but at this point I am stumped about how to get any further in the tear-down.....I'm not really looking to repair this, just trying to take it apart to see how it works, etc...(hence the channel-locks).

Boat Tech · **Joined:** Wed Dec 30, 2009 4:50 am **Posts:** 70

EvilZ Thanks for sharing that, I never stopped to take one apart, I just remember reading somewhere awhile ago that they do not recommend rebuilding them.

Is there any other names or numbers on the unit that you could try Googling to see what company would have manufactured the part. :wink:

230 Mike · **Posted:** Sat Mar 20, 2010 6:04 pm

Good pics. I look at it this way - somebody had to put it together the first time, so in theory it's rebuildable. Whether or not Volvo will make the parts or information available to enable it to be done is a whole other story. I've always wondered if a place that works on hydraulic lines and cylinders could do a job like that (or, if they'd consider it worth their time).

ric · **Posted:** Fri Jun 10, 2011 8:29 am

oh so it does come apart..............

As said.. someone had to put it together the first time. I bet any decent hyd shop can fix these. Volvo says not to rebuild because they want to sell you a $600 part instead of a $5 seal.

EvilZ · **Posted:** Fri Jun 10, 2011 8:56 am

Seems reasonable - keep us all posted. As far as I know, noone else on the forum has gone down that path yet. I didn't even think of taking it in to a shop, but mine had already been replaced. If I have to replace it again, I'll be pissed.

Erik

ric · **Posted:** Fri Jun 10, 2011 10:41 am

looking at the pictures it shouldn't be that hard. Even if you can't find the exact seal that volvo used, as said... any decent shop can modify a new one in there. In the industrial world where hydraulic rams are used EVERYWHERE it would be preposterous to replace a whole unit over a seal that you know by design wears out. Heck, it's made to be replaced, it's got a snap ring in there. If it was "not rebuildable" it would be pressed.

When I feel like having the downtime, I'll take my ram out and bring it to a good local hydraulic shop.... you know the kinda place that fixes things with imagination instead of just looking it up in a computer behind a parts counter. Maybe the shop that fixed the power steering pressure hose on my Lexus. A fitting was bad causing a leak and Lexus said it's not rebuildable and I need to buy a new $800 hose. The shop fixed it for $40 by cutting it off and brazing a new end on.

EvilZ · **Posted:** Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:25 pm

If you can identify where the leak is, you should be ahead of the game....For me, my dealer had already replaced my power steering pump

trying to find where the leak was....
I took it elsewhere and they finally found the leak at the actuator, but I still dont know where the leak actually was....

robbo3 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 10, 2011 7:27 pm

ric wrote:

The shop fixed it for $40 by cutting it off and brazing a new end on.

That's what fixed my power steering leak last year. You have to really appreciate skilled mechanics.

ric · **Posted:** Fri Jun 10, 2011 8:33 pm

robbo3 wrote:

ric wrote:

The shop fixed it for $40 by cutting it off and brazing a new end on.

That's what fixed my power steering leak last year. You have to really appreciate skilled mechanics.

You really do, it's becoming a lost art.

It seems that Lucas Power Steering stop leak fixed the issue. Yay!!

www.iFourWinns.com

Steering actuator question

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