Fountain External Steering
 

Does anyone know who manufactures the Fountain (factory) Steering Cylinders and where replacement parts can be bought?

Re: Fountain External Steering
 

Latham Marine? what year?

Re: Fountain External Steering
 

I believe the stearing that Fountain used from 99-00 were made by Fountain. I wanted to replace the end caps and found out that they are no longer available. Now they use Latham.

Re: Fountain External Steering
 

Lathem, then their own, then Lathem again as I have seen.

The Fountain drive caps are a cheap knock off of the Lathem cap. Painted. Very porus casting. Both upper and lower holes in the ears are the same size, whereas the Lathem has a larger upper hole. 1st thing I did when I bought my boat was to buy 2 Lathem caps and give away the Fountain ones to a buddy. I made a stepped bushing (seen in the picture) for the larger hole to use the Fountain bolts instead of ordering the stepped bolts from Lathem. They are too proud of their pricing.

Re: Fountain External Steering
 

Thanks for the replies!! The cylinder's are definitely NOT Latham....I knew Fountain claimed to be manufacturing the cylinder's but wondered if, in fact, they were simply manufactured for Fountain?

Re: Fountain External Steering
 

I doubt Fountain actually manufactured them. To costly to have a dedicated assembly line just for the several needed per day. Outsourcing is much cheaper.

More likely just bought from a hyd. manufacture where that is all they do, and then place on thier FOUNTAIN stickers, which are probably also made outside. :p

Most anything mechanical and electrical are easier/cheaper to buy from outside.


Mine are 'Fountain' rams. The Lathem have a much better finish. Polished vs. brushed.

Re: Fountain External Steering
 

For those interested.... I have now twice filled out the online information form at Fountain's website (asking about parts for their "branded" external steering cyls)....and after more than a week no reply.

Re: Fountain External Steering
 

About par for the course. Mine went unreturned for months. They don't like to return voice messages either. :rolleyes:

Re: Fountain External Steering
 

It Figures!?!

Re: Fountain External Steering
 

What do you need ?....Any good Hydraulics shop can rebuild the cylinders for you.