Does anyone know who makes the hydraulic steering ram that is in this boat? there is a rubber boot on mine that is ripped. I dealt with it last year beacuse the hole is small but this year I am repainting my bilge and I would like it to stay clean...I don't know the manufacturer or if its still even made. I don't know if I need a new boot or a whole new assembly...once again the boat is a 1989 206ls I would assume they used the same steering in all the boats of that year?
Thanks Harry


ps...anyone that went hydraulic, if you still have your original parts, I may be interested!

Sorry I didn't see this sooner.

If the power steering is stock, then it's made by Mercruiser.
As I recall, on my F206 LS the steering ram doesn't have a rubber boot. What portion does it cover??

And yes, that system is still used today. Parts, new and aftermarket, are readily available.

Hey iggy thanks for replying...I will post a pic asap I don't know who makes it, maybe its not OEM

Here's the parts breakdown for the power steering system on the Alpha 1.

Hey thanks...I believe itsright where #17 gets bolted on there is alot of play...I have a little boot on mine...fluid keeps leaking out..I don't get it :-( I will try to double check when I get home if its not dark out yet

Since I didn't copy the parts list.......I believe #17 is where the steering cable from the helm attaches. Then that part is bolted to a device called the Brazil Valve (#10) which sences steering changes and directs hydraulic fluid to the slave cylinder. If you're seeing a fluid leak in that area I'd guess it's coming from the Brazil Valve. That valve is readily available and looks easy to replace.
If the fluid is leaking from the steering cable, I'd guess that somebody over lubed it. There is no fluid going up the the steering box.

With the engine off you may see a lot of side to side play. Mine has a ton of it. As soon as the engine starts and hydraulic pressure builds the play deminishes. The Brazil Valve attaches to #17 by a tapered shaft, like a tie rod end. That shaft pivots left and right which directs fluid in the proper direction for steering.

I think, (and only cos I've just replaced my steering assembly from this type) where 17 is there's a rubber boot, and a grease nipple (No. 14 I think), without the boot, grease can and does leak out.

mine has that boot and its torn does anyone know where I can get that or do I have to replace more than just that?


hey iggy do you know the part number to that diagram? there seems to be a few slightly different ones. I want to make sure I get the right one

madmat what did you replace this steering assembly with? are there any relativily cheap alternatives out there?

The diagram is for the old style mercruiser ram with external pipes, (like this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW) mine was looking very tatty, and leaking grease like your one. So I found a brand new 'new style' mercruiser one on ebay for almost nothing, like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW
There's quite a few around brand new very cheap, any engine & drive package comes with 1, so for a twin install 1 gets put on the shelf for spares
I believe the thread on the cylinder is different, so the pipes between the pump and the cylinder need to be replaced too, but since I've not installed it yet I'm not 100% sure on that.