Merc 496 with Latham steering. Blew seal on pump, lost almost all the oil. Anything can cause seal to give out all at once? Never saw any leakage before. Is pump rebuildable or buy new pump. Got really hot!

It’s probably done. I’d replace. This thread may be helpful:

496 power steering pump

Shaft broke. What would put it in such a bind to twist off.

Odd. does the remaining part of the shaft still turn? Or is it locked up? Would have to guess a bearing fell apart and jammed things up.

Haven’t pulled pulley off yet. Pulley with part shaft turns easy.

Steering cylinder bottomed out or lock up during a tight turn. I had the same thing happen to me on my 496 truck. Backing the boat in my my pole barn turning the steering wheel hard. Snapped the power steering shaft. I lost breaks from the hydro-boost and steering. Fun ride back home...

Thats crazy, my buddy jeff builds/blueprints power steering pumps for 75% of the nascar cup teams and a bunch of other stuff, Im going to ask him how common that is and if he makes a upgrade shaft!

Interesting.
I haven’t seen it in the car/truck world, but seems some have like Rookie:
https://www.google.com/search?q=brok...-wiz-serp#ip=1

Looked closer at mine today with auto mechanic friend. Pump has bushing and no bearing. Bushing seized to shaft and spun in housing. Probably why it got so hot. So don’t know what happen first, seal blew first maybe causing lack of oil. Looking at Hardin marine pumps because I believe they’re available. Have their water pumps and have been good.

Pump no longer available. Anyone have part number replacement. Got a 8m0110722. Doesn’t fit bracket. Is a recall replacement for 8.2, got it from merc.