josh.keadle
New member
Okay, so I am new to this forum thing, but I need a lot of help.
I have a 1999 Regal with a Mercruiser 5.0l EFI motor, and the Mercruiser Alpha One outdrive. I recently have taken it to a boat service shop for a slight leak in the outdrive (which was fxed by him) but I also wanted him to check my steering. I had him check my steering because when we were trying to trailer the boat the steering felt as if it would just turn left or right on its own. Also, when driving the boat it will not turn to the right really well.
So, after talking to Fred (The Boat Shop owner), he tells me that I need to replace the steering pin, the gimble ring, the steering arm, and a couple other things. He tells me to replace all of those items that the price of the parts alone will cost me $1400, plus there will be 14 hours of labor, which will run me a grand total of $1900-$2400. I asked him how detrimental this would be if I would just finish up the summer, and use the boat like I have been since I have bought the boat. He told me that if I hit a big enough wake that the steering pin could stick, and throw everyone off of my boat.
The reason why I am writing this in the forum is for 1.) Could it really happen where it would throw everyone off of my boat? 2.) Does this price sound reasonable? I have looked on ebay and have found stainless steel steering pins, and gimble rings for less already. 3.) How long would this job take on average with a person that has a little bit of experience turning a wrench?
I bought the boat for $4000 (I got a good deal on it, I THOUGHT!) and if I can do it for substantially less, then that would obviously be the better option. Please respond to this forum, I could really use some guidance with this right now!
I have a 1999 Regal with a Mercruiser 5.0l EFI motor, and the Mercruiser Alpha One outdrive. I recently have taken it to a boat service shop for a slight leak in the outdrive (which was fxed by him) but I also wanted him to check my steering. I had him check my steering because when we were trying to trailer the boat the steering felt as if it would just turn left or right on its own. Also, when driving the boat it will not turn to the right really well.
So, after talking to Fred (The Boat Shop owner), he tells me that I need to replace the steering pin, the gimble ring, the steering arm, and a couple other things. He tells me to replace all of those items that the price of the parts alone will cost me $1400, plus there will be 14 hours of labor, which will run me a grand total of $1900-$2400. I asked him how detrimental this would be if I would just finish up the summer, and use the boat like I have been since I have bought the boat. He told me that if I hit a big enough wake that the steering pin could stick, and throw everyone off of my boat.
The reason why I am writing this in the forum is for 1.) Could it really happen where it would throw everyone off of my boat? 2.) Does this price sound reasonable? I have looked on ebay and have found stainless steel steering pins, and gimble rings for less already. 3.) How long would this job take on average with a person that has a little bit of experience turning a wrench?
I bought the boat for $4000 (I got a good deal on it, I THOUGHT!) and if I can do it for substantially less, then that would obviously be the better option. Please respond to this forum, I could really use some guidance with this right now!