Cap n Carl
New member
Greetings!
I am in the process of overhauling my 1988 Bravo 1 transom assembly off boat. I am replacing the steel OEM steering pin with a stainless version. I intend to replace both bushings, but I have no idea how to remove the smaller upper bushing? I thought of drilling a 1/2" hole thru the top of the housing and using a flat punch or screwdriver to knock out the bushing. I can drill a pilot hole from the inside out, so centering the hole shouldn't be a problem. I would later plug the hole with a pipe plug providing there is enough stock for threads, or use some sort of rubber plug. I'm not sure if this is a good idea as I have never heard of anyone doing it this way. I have heard of using some sort of hooked tool to pull out the bushing, but I imagine it depends on how easily it will come out. I doubt anyone makes a puller small enough to do the job. I have watched Youtube videos on pin replacement, but no one even mentions replacing the upper bushing? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
I would also like to mention that after a test fitting of the new bushings, I feel the pin shaft to bushing clearance is a bit sloppy for my taste! I even used a hose clamp on the lower split bushing to simulate it being installed. I guess it is what it is, but I don't like it. My Bravo still has the fitting to grease the upper bushing. The Steel OEM steering pin has a hole drilled down the center where it joins with a small hole drilled at a 90 to the center. Grease would be forced down from the top thru this passage to lubricate the lower bushing. No more grease zerk, and no hole drilled in the stainless pins. My drive even has an oil dip stick in the top cover! What else is Mercruiser going to eliminate in the future?
I am in the process of overhauling my 1988 Bravo 1 transom assembly off boat. I am replacing the steel OEM steering pin with a stainless version. I intend to replace both bushings, but I have no idea how to remove the smaller upper bushing? I thought of drilling a 1/2" hole thru the top of the housing and using a flat punch or screwdriver to knock out the bushing. I can drill a pilot hole from the inside out, so centering the hole shouldn't be a problem. I would later plug the hole with a pipe plug providing there is enough stock for threads, or use some sort of rubber plug. I'm not sure if this is a good idea as I have never heard of anyone doing it this way. I have heard of using some sort of hooked tool to pull out the bushing, but I imagine it depends on how easily it will come out. I doubt anyone makes a puller small enough to do the job. I have watched Youtube videos on pin replacement, but no one even mentions replacing the upper bushing? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
I would also like to mention that after a test fitting of the new bushings, I feel the pin shaft to bushing clearance is a bit sloppy for my taste! I even used a hose clamp on the lower split bushing to simulate it being installed. I guess it is what it is, but I don't like it. My Bravo still has the fitting to grease the upper bushing. The Steel OEM steering pin has a hole drilled down the center where it joins with a small hole drilled at a 90 to the center. Grease would be forced down from the top thru this passage to lubricate the lower bushing. No more grease zerk, and no hole drilled in the stainless pins. My drive even has an oil dip stick in the top cover! What else is Mercruiser going to eliminate in the future?
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