fountain27ho496

Seems to be leaking from the seal that the ram slides into. Is this an easy fix? Can I buy just the seals? The shop told me last year they were only available as part of a full kit. Thanks in advance for your help. Bravo XZ. JC

Holy Smokes

Since you have to open them up, it's best to go ahead and do all the seals and o-rings that are supplied in the kit.

From Bam's website you have two choices....
87399A2 --OVERHAUL KIT (click here) $109.27 $93.22 2
25-87400A2 ----SEAL KIT (click here) $21.30 $20.77 2

phragle

the complete kit isnt that expensive. and the rams are pretty simple creatures as long as they arent all corroded. jast remember , as in redoing motors, work CLEAN.

waterbum

I took mine to a local hydraulic shop because they seemed to slowly fall overnight if left slightly trimmed up. A few o-rings, 45 minutes later and they were done. Cost about $50. The shop had the right tools (a big vice that held the tube) and knew what they were doing. The rams have been working for 3 years now without any issue. Just another option to consider.

fountain27ho496

Thanks guys. Did you take the rams off and take them to the shop?. I did this with my steering rams a few years ago and It went fine. Do they have to be bled when put back on? Thanks. JC

waterbum

They are easy to remove. Front and rear anchor pins, remove hoses and they come off. After I put the trim rams back on I just ran them up and down a few times until they felt solid. When there is air in the lines, they will jump around a little when trimming up or down, but the system seems to self bleed. Had to add a little fluid to the trim resevoir. It was about a 10 minute deal to put them back on and get them working good as new. One of the few times it almost seemed too easy to fix something on the boat. The hardest part was finding a shop in the area.

fountain27ho496

Thanks, finally something that isnt a drill. I'll have to find the name of the place I took the steering rams to. Did you bring them the parts or was it something they had. JC

waterbum

I took them just the rams. They had all of the parts in stock. All he replaced were several o-rings. The rest of the parts (there are not many) looked fine. He said it was a standard size.

Holy Smokes

Hey waterbum - what was the name of the shop you used. I'm in OP as well and always looking for reputable shops to work with.

Travis

waterbum

The shop is Midamerica Hydraulics in Olathe. They are off of 135th and I-35 (about 132nd and Lindenwood - just north of Gold's Gym). It's not like walking into an O'reilly's. They have a counter, but it is usually covered in tools, manuals, etc. Very helpful dudes. I went there a few times last spring looking for parts for my hydraulic steering upgrade - they did not have the parts but steered me to right places. I've used Tompkins a few times and get mixed results, so I usually try these guys first.