Hello all my Wet and Wild Friends ... New Guy here. I need your expertise and much appreciated opinions and knowledge.

Yes I have a worn steering shaft pin ... Shocking I know. Especially in a 34 year old boat. I've got a 1987 Sea Ray Pachanga - Big Block with a Bravo 1 - that has been serviced over the years. I had some weirdness going on with the steering and had some service worked performed by someone who does this for a living ... mechanic tells me the steering is worn due to age - obviously - but is safe for one more season. He recommended replacing the transom assembly, steering shaft, gimbal housing ,etc. Suggested replacing the gimbal assembly with used, and steering with new ... Any thoughts or recommendations on this?

I am seeing complete - NEW - transom assemblies for about $3000 plus shipping - OUCH

The drive itself has been serviced and deemed good to go -- for now -- It's ugly, but good for the moment. So the upper and lower units could be addressed down the road.

Which would you recommend -- I'm a value kinda guy as opposed to being focused on the actual price -- Which is a better value for the dollar? New? Used? Reman or Rebuild what I have? What would you do?

Thanks!

Would depend on the condition of the gimbal ring as to if it needed replaced. Probably no need to replace transom assembly. Just new bushings, steering pin, and U-bolt. JR Marine has the best deal going. Everything you need including a steering pin of better material and properly machined to size. Avoid the eBay cheap crap. I gambled and lost. Ended up getting the kit from JR.

I agree. No reason to replace the entire assy. Either pull the motor, or get the JR kit. Its not a hard job, just labor intensive. Whichever way you go make sure you replace the steer shaft seal while you are in there. Good Luck !

I did the JRMarine fix a few years ago myself. It's a lot of work, but a lot less work than pulling an engine... My steering and tilt movements went from a lot to a little. Much more solid after replacing all the parts. basically the kit lets you get to and remove the steering pin without pulling the engine. and even if you pull the engine, no telling how rusted up that thing is anyway. If you do the open up the top of the transom for the fix, and find it impossible.. you can still replace all the parts the traditional way of yanking the engine and removing the transom... so you're really out like $50 or whatever for the kit plus some time.

Instructions

JR Marine for sure. Good prices, good parts and tooling, very knowledgeable, good communication, quick shipping. They also refurbish gimble rings. Save yourself some major $$$ and repair it yourself. I replaced pretty much every bushing and seal, steering shafts, u-bolts and bellows for both drives. I had the engs out already so I didn't have to do the drilling needed if leaving engines in.