Removing Lathan steering ram from drive cap?
 

Doing some pre-season inspection last weekend on my 2003 Bravo 1s I noticed that the drive cps (below the Latham plate) are pitted and even eaten away a bit on the lower corner of the caps, all the way around, on both drives.

Unfortunately I didn't think to take pics of the corrosion so I could get opinions on whether I should worry about this or just let it be, and the boat is in a warehouse across town right now.

I surmise this damage may be from the previous owner running hard in salt water with no drive showers and not properly washing down afterwards.

Whatever the cause, I am thinking about removing & replacing the caps and adding Latham drive showers.

I'm wondering if anyone here has unbolted their steering rams and top-plate from the drives, and if there is any pressure in the system when the boat is off which might make bolting them back up difficult after the cap replacement.

Also, anyone else see corrosion on the caps but nowhere else on the drive?

rhsj2006, Just took my rams loose and end caps off to polish and do maintanence, 1996 bravo one. There is no pressure on rams, had no problem rebolting up. Just make sure before taking end caps off to drain gear drive oil. There is a rubber gasket in the end cap that is usually glued in the groove, may need to replace before reinstalling, also put a little silicone on the rubber gasket side to the drive too. Yes I to had some corrison on my caps, always freshwater boat, believe this to be a common problem. Oh by the way best metal polish there is, is simichrome, can only buy at a motorcycle shop, on heavy corrission areas, use with 0000 steel wool. Hope this helps

Good idea now to catch it before it gets real bad. I sent mine out to be re-powder coated last spring before I put the drives back on. With my drive showers, no problems for 1 fresh water season!

Dave