Engine is a 454 drive is a bravo 1. Had water coming in the boat from the drive. Looked like it might be the steering pin and the water seemed to be bubbling in from the upper part of the transom bracket. Took it in and they tore into it. All bellows were good, but the intakes hose was shot, had holes and was partially collapsed. He checked the steering pin and says it was fine. Could it have been this water intake hose.

Also if I want to do the jrmarine fix for the steering pin, does the drive have to come off for me to make this fix

Yes. Taking the drive off is the easiest part.

i just hoped the new hoses fixed it

Which intake hose was bad? the inside one or outside? A bad outside hose won't cause water to leak in the boat, you just won't get water to the motor. A bad inside hose will allow for both a leak and low water to the motor

inside