Help needed, Steering hydraulic cylinder separated from Tie Bar

Art

Art

Active Member
SILVER Sponsor
Oct 25, 2010
339
Boca Raton, Fl
Boat Info
2003 450 Express Bridge
Engines
Cummins 480CE
Lost steering control this weekend, luckily not too far from home. The problem appears to be cylinder piston ram has separated from the tie bar. The steering controls are behind the genny, in the deepest bowels of the ER, and against the transom. Access seems almost impossible unless you were born there. The scope of this repair is probably beyond my capabilities, but I was thinking of having a mechanic come out and cut and install access panels in the bottom of the transom storage locker to facilitate access and allow for future inspection/adjustments.

Has anyone had this problem and can offer some help?

Thanks, Art
 
I had hydraulic fluid leaking from the steering ram when I first bought my boat. Like you, the steering ram is behind the Generator and under my 100 gallon fresh water tank. I was able to reach it when I removed the seized generator. With the generator out of the way access was pretty easy. I hate say it, but you may want to consider moving the generator to gain access to the area to see the "whole picture." Trying to look through and make repairs through a small access port may not give you the room and visual you need to get the job done.
 
This is a simple repair. There is a ball joint connecting the steering ram (cylinder) to a tab welded in the center of the rudder tie bar. A single bolt holds the ball joint to the tab. If the bolt has vibrated loose, it is a very simple 5 minute fix. If that is what has happened, I would replace the bolt and the locking nut instead of re-using the old one.

Just so you are aware, there are some other potential causes of losing steering. That area is ripe for corrosion damage.....sort of an out of sight; out of mind thing. I rinse my steering gear off regularly. If you don't the rod end can corrode and fail or the cylinder end can fail since it threads into the ball joint. The ball joint is a common mechanical device generally available once you get the specs.........I looked in the Sea Ray parts book and it is part of the cylinder or ram assembly Sea Ray buys as a complete unit and is not shown as a separate item. If the cylinder rod is damaged, there isn't much of a workable fix and you will likely have to replace the complete ram.

There is a an article on the CSR home page about steering ram failures you might want to read, if for nothing else, it will increase your understanding of an assembly you can't easily get to or examine on the 440/450EB.

Good luck with it.................
 
Frank, your instincts were correct, the tie bar is completely corroded and the tab separated from the tie bar.I am surprised, the tiebar does not look like it is bronze.

Called Marine Max TIE BAR, RUDDER 57" W/TAB #1039445 is discontinued and will have to be special ordered probably over 30 day lead-time.
Already tried Flounder Pounder, anyone have any suggestions on how I can have one fabricated or locate one?

image.jpg



BTW: great article on steering ram!!!


Thanks, Art
 
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I would imagine that one of the machine shops or even a race boat shop in the Boca area could fabricate a tie bar with an attachment point for the steering ram. You may want to consider removing the bar, after taking pictures and measurements, and bringing it with you. I would suggest securing the rudders so they don't move while the tie bar is out.
 
Would think you could get that fabricated cheaper and quicker. Looks like something is leaking from above, maybe the transom locker?
 
Capt. Rusty Higgins said:
Art,

Check your voice mail...

R
Click to expand...

It is not going to surprise many CSR members that thanks to Frank W. and Capt. Rusty Higgins less than one week after I posted the picture of my corroded tie bar, I now have a brand new stainless steel one. Without both Frank and Rusty's involvement I would have been off the water for a long time waiting for an inferior and much more expensive part.

We are truly fortunate to have CSR and these 2 gentleman that generously share their vast boating knowledge and selflessly make themselves available to help so many of us.

Just want to show-off this new beauty that I hope to have installed tomorrow in time for the Boca Bash.

IMG_0517.jpg

Thanks again Frank & Rusty
 
I've found that experienced boaters in general will go out of there way to help out another boater, and there are several here that go above and beyond that. It's what makes this such a great site.
 
Can someone also help me locate a new one or where to go as well? to be fair, The surveyor noted this on my survey, but I didn't see the big deal, now I understand and want to replace this ASAP!

Thanks

Josh
 
In trying to help Art get a replacement, we found that Sea Ray has changed vendors for the rudder tie bars. Rusty got the drawings from the original design at Sea Ray and sent a copy to their new vendor who agreed to make one from all stainless components. The tie bars are different for various models, so if you need one, I'd suggest that you contact Sea Ray Customer Service and explain what we found re: vendor change and then ask them to send you a copy of the drawing for your boat and give you a contact at the vendor.

Just to save you time, if you go to a Sea Ray dealer, they are going to tell you the part is no longer available (NLA). Well, it does show in their parts fiche NLA, but that is only because there are none in stock at Sea Ray, and that is because they changed vendors or because they do not use that same exact tie bar on current production. Using the route I suggested will save you time and money.
 
This is a fabulous post! Thanks to all for showing us how to source this part !!

LB
 
Thanks everyone. This is on my to do list now. I'll call customer service and see if they can get me the drawings


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I've been away from CSR for awhile and missed the recent inquiries. If anyone needs additional info beyond what Frank W posted on 3/18/2017 feel free to contact me.
 
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