Trying to make a well informed decision on wether to fix, rebuild or replace my transom assemblies. Don't know that much about them so looking for some information from the experts. For background, my current assemblies are original to the boat, 1994, with 400+ hours on them, full imco hydraulic steering. The top swivel/steering pins are going bad, one is leaking water pretty heavy, the other just dripping. Current power is 430hp a side, but planning on bumping to 600 or so in the next year or two.

I am figuring that due to their age, they would probably need a full rebuild, all seals, bushings, pins, bellows, boots, shift cable etc. I really don't want to pull motors and go through all that work this spring a. Because I am really busy and dont have the time or funds to do a full rebuild and b. I will be pulling the motors for upgrades soon anyway. That being said, maybe I will nurse them another season or do a pin swap the jr marine method for now.

Ok, now to the real question. Would I be further ahead to redo the old standard transom assemblies or buy some late model hp takeoffs. What do you gain by going to the hp assemblies? Do they weigh a lot more(concern on a twin BB 28). Would I be further ahead to spend the $ on rebuilding the standard assemblies using aftermarket stainless pins and gimbal rings? Would be about the same $ as buying used hp assemblies. Hill marine has some nice looking stainless parts. Would a standard assembly built that way be as strong or better than a stock hp? Thanks for any input, or any other ideas or ways to look at it.

If you go the ss/gimble get some feed back on th one you go with , some are real bad fit . Did you check out the ones i said .they prob have ss swivel pins allready in them . The Hp ones are going to weigh a bit more but if you are going bigger power in a year or two they will help beefing things up.

Yeah, just checked to the cox one and in the pics the casting looks a lot better. Comes with the swivel pin as well, and only a few bucks more. Really waiting on some feedback from someone who has done one before I decide as well.

Eric, it really depends on what you need. If your gimble ring is bad, swivel pin is bad its probably not worth rebuilding them. But if all you need is new seals it's no big deal. The bad thing is you have to take them out to see. The good thing is you can inspect your transom when they're out. I just tore mine apart to inspect and paint. I put in all new bushings and seals. My gimble was fine, all the bellows was fine so it only cost me a couple hundred to re build two. Also, I wouldn't worry about running standard assembly's with hydro steering. If you chose to replace what you have I would go new verses used. My opinion would be to fix them now instead of waiting another year

Yeah what jbraun said. I am going through it now. Just a couple seals and bushings here and there and I am good so far.

PPJ, where are you purchasing the parts you need to rebuild the transom assm.? I will be needing parts soon to do mine and being new to boating I have few contacts.

Thanks
Jeff

If you don't have a friend in the business,
there is always..
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/

Not sure of the weight differences, but figured this info would be interesting to know,

Mercruiser Bravo Transom Specifications,
Bravo Production Transom, die cast gimbal ring
Bravo Magnum Transom, sand cast gimbal ring
Bravo HP Magnum Transom, no trim sender, solid hinge pins
Bravo Smartcraft Transom, Digital trim sender

http://www.perfprotech.com/blog/arti...som-assemblies

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/3296868-post14.html

Hi guys, I’m Peter, the distributor for Cox Rings; that’s my ad on Ebay, and also on Craigslist. I have 20+ rings in stock and ready to ship.


For reasons beyond my control I was not at liberty to respond earlier to this post, but I can respond now. So here the story behind Cox Rings Stainless Steel Gimbals.

Cox Rings never intended to sell these rings at the direct retail level. The owners of Cox developed the rings with the intent to be the manufacturer/wholesaler of the rings and a certain boat racing outfitter that they did business with to be the distributor the rings. Through a variety of events including the sale of that outfitter’s company to another, the distribution of the rings fell into limbo. Cox continued to produce and stockpile the rings as well as other products while trying to develop another distributor. Familiar with the frustrations they were experiencing, I offered to take on the responsibility of distributing their products (the owners of the company are very close personal friends of mine and with whom I have been doing business for over 10 years) which include the rings as well as other stainless products that they have developed for the marine industry – they accepted my offer. Until now, their products (including the rings) have only been sold to end users as rebranded Cox products – the ones you see on the market today.

As a result of my relationship with them, I am now able to offer these as Cox Rings and at the wholesale price with no reseller markup. I cannot guarantee these prices will not go up with the next run of rings Cox produces, as these wholesale prices are based on manufacturing costs and inventory from 2-3 years ago.

Two of the members here have contacted me (through Ebay) about what type of warranty these have. Unfortunately, as a racing product, Cox cannot control the environment they are used in and therefore cannot offer any sort of warranty. The owners and their families, as well as myself, come from diverse racing and motorsports backgrounds. We’ve all been involved in racing in one form or another and know what it takes for the little guy to save his pennies and invest in a strong part. We are the little guys, not some giant corporation. We also know firsthand the dumb things people (including ourselves) do with their machines. I would have no problem whatsoever putting a Cox Ring on my personal boat and sending my family out in any water the boat could handle without worries about the part failing and leaving them stranded.



Regarding the fitting comments and concerns: until now, I don’t believe that anyone has knowingly purchased a Cox Ring as Cox has never sold a gimbal ring at the retail level. During the manufacturing process Cox fitted randomly picked rings on a variety of stock Bravo outdrives and did not have to do any modifications to the rings. I, as well as Cox, would be very interested in any pictures, documentation, or comments about installation that anyone else has regarding any difficulties in fitment of the Cox rings – Cox developed the rings with the goal of creating a superior product (with the ability to handle in excess of 1,500 hp) that actually fits without any modifications to any parts.



A little about me - I’m based in Peyton Colorado and have my own 4x4 and vehicle modification business I run from my home shop. I’ve been involved in everything from general fabrication, to composites for Aerospace parts, movie cars and props, machining, welding, supply chain management, inventory management, toy hauler and trailer building and modification, RV repair, off road racing pit teams for the King of the Hammers desert race, and the never ending fight to keep public lands and waterways open to the public. I’ve been building and 4 wheeling my own vehicles for over 20 years. I know about abusing parts and what it takes to fix things. I do not promote anything I would not personally use, and I definitely wouldn’t sell it if I didn't believe in it. I also transport vehicles, RV, and boats on the side when my shop is slow. The main reasons I mention this is to let you know you’re dealing with a real person, doing his best to keep customers happy, deliver a great product and service, and put food on his family’s table. I’m pretty much a one man show, so if I’m out on the road for 3 or 4 days, there might be a delay in your shipping. This typically happens less than once a month, so it shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Other than that, I can usually pack and send out the next business day.

I will subscribe to this thread, and the notifications will come to my phone via email, so I should never be out of contact. If I’m out on the road it may be a day or so till I can get my laptop online and reply, but I will reply. My direct email is my username @gmail.com



So there it is, feel free to ask any questions you have or contact me if you want to get in on this run of rings at wholesale pricing.



Peter

PSD Enterprises, LLC