2002 262 power steering issues

[Knottshore]

Hello - new to us 2002 262 w/Volvo Penta 496 HO- did a quick shakedown run and found the wheel almost impossible to turn al low rpm and when I checked the power steering fluid it was about 1/2-2/3 of a quart low- finally got a chance to see if I could locate a leak and found a drip at the steering ram unit-can’t quite pin point yet due to the location and access.

Wondering if anyone has done a rebuild on a VP steering ram- or if I am better off shelling out for a replacement since it is 18 years old?

[AsLan7]

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Hey KS. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

I’ve never done a rebuild on a steering ram. Never had to replace the cable either so I’m not sure about the ability to access vs total replacement and cost comparison.

Let’s get a consensus from the folks who have.

Any other pics of your 262?

Again welcome aboard mate!

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[Krob1114]

Welcome and good luck!

[rabiddawg]

I rebuilt mine last summer.

And it lasted about a month then started leaking again. Not much but it makes a mess.

For speed and convenience I bought from a Amazon vendor. Perhaps a Volvo seal would have been better

It’s a pain in the ass just getting the unit out. You can’t get two hands down in there. The cotter pins were out of sight and took hours to remove. I know; sounds stupid but you get it to where you can get pliers on it barely touch it and it flips to where you can’t get pliers on it to squeeze.

Once its out it’s a five minute job replacing the seal.

I put mine back in with longer cotter pins that I can see the ends.

It goes back in much easier than it comes out