1986 52c Steering Cylinder Id?

[rustybucket]

Hello all, long time no post! I've got a Hynautic h-42 helm pump on my 1986 52c. My steering cylinder has started leaking (again). I've already had it rebuilt a couple times in the past but thinking I'm leaning toward replacement this time. The cylinder does not have any marking or part number on it as far as I can tell. Anyone happen to know which cylinder would have come on the 52c? Or any measurement I can take of the existing cylinder to aid in ID?

 

[Captain Ralph]

A couple of pictures could help.

 

[Captain Ralph]

I've already had it rebuilt a couple times in the past

I resealed ours, the only time, over 18 years ago. It is now 46 years old.
I suspect this is the norm.

Could there be some un-observed nicks or scratches eating up your seals?
Are you blowing your seals? Undersized ram maybe?
AP over-driving it into the rudder stops?

 

[rustybucket]

I resealed ours, the only time, over 18 years ago. It is now 46 years old.
I suspect this is the norm.

Could there be some un-observed nicks or scratches eating up your seals?
Are you blowing your seals? Undersized ram maybe?
AP over-driving it into the rudder stops?

I had a hydraulic shop do the rebuilding both times. The first time it leaked less than a year later. Second time it lasted 2 yrs although not used much during that 2yrs as we had an engine rebuild during that time.

The shop gave the cylinder a clean bill of health both times, but I'm thinking there has got to be something going on with it to go through the seals like it is.

 

[Eddieclemons]

Mine is leaking also. I recall that PO stated he had the current ram rebuilt in 2020ish. I have a rebuilt spare onboard also. I will check for numbers this week. I will be needing repair advice for remove and install very soon.

 

[rsmith]

The 5606 hydraulic fluid eats the rubber seals. I try to tell people but no one wants to listen. I’ve run atf in mine for over 50 years and I had one leak about 20 years ago. And the internet myth that ATF makes it hard to steer is a complete lie that people keep repeating who have no clue and never even used it.

 

[Cricket]

Where have you been Rusty? Where's the pictures of your various projects, don't hold out on us. Just put in power steering.......

 

[whoover]

I always used atf with no issues, my manual stated that atf could be used. The auto pilot worked fine with it. Rusty if you measure the ram and calculate the volume you can find the proper replacement. There are some pretty good manuals that can be downloaded.

Walt Hoover

 

[rustybucket]

Where have you been Rusty? Where's the pictures of your various projects, don't hold out on us. Just put in power steering.......

Lol, working on business, and working on the boat! Did a seatrial late last summer and had exhaust gas in the coolant on stbd engine (not the engine we rebuilt), so off with the heads, turned out to be injector cups leaking, so after a head job everything went back together. First seatrial was New Years eve and everything seems to be buttoned up and functioning properly (besides the steering ram).

I'm def ready to be out of the engine room and out on the water! Hopefully this spring/summer will be nice to us.

What power steering system would you put in if you were doing it now?

Looks like I've got an id on the cylinder and appears it's no longer available. It's a K-31 Hynautic.

https://www.seatechmarineproducts.c...-200-10-stroke-hydraulic-marine-cylinder.html

The recommended replacement ram is the Seastar Capilano HC5378. Anyone have experience with them?

https://www.seatechmarineproducts.c...d-end-ball-joint-hydraulic-boat-cylinder.html

 

[rsmith]

See if the shop can rebuild it with viton seals instead of neoprene they should hold up to 5606 better.

 

[Captain Ralph]

What is the difference between a K31 and K33?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1665623740...ZjxC0pUvBMnkvcu/CzHypNmZmo|tkp:Bk9SR5ThtvyrYw