Guys, there a fair bit of info in various RIBnet threads about hydraulic steering. I've just replaced my own seals on the RAM and so far so good.I thought I'd share my experience with fellow RIBnet members
After many years of good service from my Baystar steering I was faced with a leaking seal on the RAM. The "spongy" steering which soon deteriorated and the oil in the transom was a dead give-away that I had problems. A call to the local service mechanic meant a 3 week wait and a quick quote of $450 - $500
I was told it was a 2-3 hour job so I guessed more than half the cost wuld be labour.
I called up the local Teleflex agent and purchased the Seal Replacement Kit which I was able to buy for just over $100
I was worried about working with seals and clips but the seal kit comprises two new end-caps which simply slide in place. The instructions are well laid out and easy to follow. The kit also had an alluminuim fitting that in the packet looked like a connection olive of sort but it's a protective collar that fits over the threaded part of the RAM so that you do not damage the new seal when pushing it on to the RAM.
Being properly organised with enough clean rags and all the tools on-hand it took two of us little over an hour.
