Leaking Volvo Penta Steering Rams

D

db631018

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 Oct 2007
Messages
142
Visit site
Hi

How many of you guys are having problems with leaking steering rams on Volvo Penta recentish outdrive legs?

I am on my fifth set in 30 months!!
 
I have had probably 4 pairs since 2005.
Volvo have only recently modified the ram by using a rubber gaiter over the extending stainless steel arm, to prevent fouling by barnacles etc.

As I understand it, the new rams on the DPH drives only have 1 seal, which gets damaged.
Time will tell if the gaiter solves the problem.
 
Hi Jonboy

Sorry to say I have had 2 sets of rams with gaiters on, the first a volvo penta bodged up attempt and the second the new 'cant fail' gaiter. It didnt last 6 months!!

We are in the water here all year round and the water is warm so this makes a difference but it seems the product is not fit for purpose.

I think it has been masked in most areas by boats being lifted for the winter.
 
I have a 2005 boat with DPH drive legs. Presently on fourth set of steering rams!!! Fitted the retro fit gaiters last year. Boat now out for winter storage after only 7 months afloat. Gaiters so far seem to have worked. I notice also later type rams have a integral gaiter system. Not confident gaiters are the final answer to the problem. I wonder why Volvo went for externel steering rams, seems a very bad design choice!!! /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
Hi Chiboater

It seems this is a big problem for volvo, I have the DPH legs aswell.

Where do you keep your boat?
 
two sets of rams in three seasons. Now appears to be cured though, they have change the metals used from Aluminum ring seal to bronze, doh!! you would have thought a marine eninge company would know better than this.
 
Never had this problem on DP290 leg... am I lucky? Always been in fresh water so no worry of growth, worst thing that'd ever 'grow' is slime, but boat is never static enough for long enough for this to build up

Anyone got pics of the gaitors on the DPH drives?
 
Hi Alt,
Those of us with older drives like the DP290 or DPD that I have, have the steering ram inside the boat with the engines so don't get the problem of barnacles on them.

Eddie
 
I had a lot of trouble with both the rams and the hydrolic pipes. I sent to Volvo Barcelona at least 20 e-mails a similar amount to Volvo UK and spent hours on the phone it was only through sheer determination and eventualy searching out the Volvo main men on the internet and then calling them direct. I belive I actualy spoke to the director of Volvo Penta wilst he was waiting for a flight in Sweeden. Yes they will remember me I was a real pain in the A** to them. However they agreed to cover the cost of new rams with gaiters and also covered the fitting. I personaly bought new pipes and the engineer fitted them for 24€.

The local agent was no use what so ever. Just saying that Volvo would not cover on waranty.

Volvo do have a problem with these rams and they know it., hence the new model having gaiters fitted. Also check out the props as a batch around 2005 suffered pitting. Theis was a recal and I had a new set.

Hope this helps.
 
I have just had new set of rams fitted after 11 mothsin water, they have gaiters and new bonding cables fitted but IMHO i still dont think it is long term fix as the nice shiny part of the ram is allways going to be in salt water and so unless you go and turn the steering lock to lock every couple of weeks they are bound to get furred up and wreck seals . I have 1 more year of warranty left so we will see what happens i suppose but dont fancy engine service annodes AND NEW RAMS every year!!!!
 
There are two problems here: the sealing ring dissolving, and the exposed hydraulic ram.

The dissolving sealing ring has been solved with a new bronze part.

The exposed hydraulic ram is a fundamental design flaw, in my opinion. When used on trim/tilt rams, you can trim right in and the ram will be protected. When used on a steering ram, this is impossible: either one side or the other or both will be exposed to critters or scale. Adding the gaiter will probably be enough to keep it going for several seasons in a colder climate. No idea what will happen in warmer water.

Best idea would be to leave the steering "hard to port" one week after use, and "hard to starboard" the next week.

dv.
 
Taking the school boat out of the water in about a month. had a swim around the legs late summer and all looked fine gaters in place but as only held inplace by a cable tie they were just moving free on the ram but seemed to be doing the job. Supose the barnicles dont want to grow in the dark!! dread what I might find when I lift out and inspect closely.
 
Hi Gary

The thick end of the gater is supposed to be super glued under the cable tie according to the fitting instructions, it will be good to see if it holds.

Let me know what you find when you lift her!

Duncan
 
I work on many DPH drives in the med and have found that the gaiters do stop the barnicals from growing but as they have holes in them don't stop the calcium buildup on the rod. The best advice I have been able to give my customers is to leave the steering always over to the same side then only one ram is exposed (half the cost). I have a box of about 40 old rams in my workshop but have recently started to fit new seals instead.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

Stampede
Volvo Penta DP-H steering hydraulic Hose Replacement
Replies
8
Views
298
Stampede
Stampede

Share this page

Top