Can you identify this old steering ram please?

[Keith-i]

Just hoping someone might recognise who these steering rams were made by. There are no identifying marks on it that I can see but the cylinder measures about 220 long by 35mm dia. It is driven by a Vetus MT50/7 helm pump if that helps. The reason for asking is that I might give it all an overhaul if I renew the autopilot so would want to get new seals etc if they are available.
Thanks

 

[MapisM]

I can't swear it's a BCS Marine (later taken over by Twin Disc) steering ram.
But if it isn't, pretty sure looks like it!

 

[MartynG]

I thought the following looked similar but may be completely wrong

 

[jfm]

These things are generic. If you strip it down and take the seals to a hydraulic shop, they will be able to sell you spares.

If you do want to look at the trade suppliers of steering systems, for a UK boat, include hypro (or maybe it's hypromarine) and phoenix in your search

 

[Keith-i]

I can't swear it's a BCS Marine (later taken over by Twin Disc) steering ram.
But if it isn't, pretty sure looks like it!

Thanks I will do some research. Forgot to mention that it probably dates from 1983.

 

[Keith-i]

I thought the following looked similar but may be completely wrong
View attachment 163327

Agreed, there are a lot of similarities. Thanks

 

[BartW]

You can bring the complete cylinder to a hydraulic shop,
and they can rebuild the unit as new,

thats what I did with my 31yo rudder cylinder last year, the shop did even replace part of the housing, (make new)

as jfm say's no need to go the original manufacturer,

 

[Ian h]

Give these guys a call the owner is also a boat owner so sure will be able to help

Unwin Hydraulic Engineering | JCB Hydraulic Pumps | Buy Online

 

[jointventureII]

@Keith-i - quick question, have you refurbished the MT50/7 pump too?

I have 2 on my boat and they both leak a little. The connections behind are fine. There is a paper gasket (which I've made myself using flexoid paper) but there is also a rubber seal where the shaft comes out (i.e. where the actual steering wheel would be attached). This one I'm having trouble removing, on one of my units, the oil is making its way past.

 

[vas]

oops, just saw the thread, have an identical one on MiToS, took two goes to fix it at the local shops, some seals were odd sized and machinist ended up redoing some faces. Anyway, easily done for v.little money. Mine may have a stamp on one of the two endblocks but iirc was capacity of oil.