converting a 496HO to external steering. (MarineMachine) Single ram, using the stock Merc p/s pump: I have blown the seals on two rams: What is the max pressure the rams can take: "hard over" I've got about 700 lbs on the prssure side. I've installed a pressure regular/gauge so I can now adjust the pressure. It seems to work very well at about 500 lbs. Any thougths? This is on a commercial parasail boat, w/ Bravo II

How bout going w/ dual rams.

I have a Marine Machine single ram system and a 496HO. I only have a few hours on this setup but no problems so far. Do you have full hydraulic or add-on?

System is a full system: helm, p/s pump, filter (Latham) all plumbed directly to the single M/M cylinder. It's just a single cylinder system. The main reason for going this route is we destroy parts because of the play in the stock steering/gimbal housing set up. Gimbal rings, pins, bushings, steering lever all wear because the constant "thrashing" the drive takes. These boats are on the water 2500-3000 hours a year!

some times the fitting in the back of the pump that the pressure line screws into has to large of a diameter( twin engine pump) which in turn allows the pump to put out more pressure as well as volume.