89 OMC powersteering actuator seal question

[Metrodriver]

I got an 89 OMC 5.8 and the power steering actuator has a seal that seems to hsve a crack where my finger is pointing. I cannot find any references as to what it is, or if it is available for rebuild.

 

[Bondo]

or if it is available for rebuild.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,...... P/S actuators are listed as Not Serviceable, so a seal "Kit" doesn't exist,....

That's not sayin' folks haven't done so, but ya gotta search up the seals, separately, 'n pray they match the old,.....
I haven't,....
Baum bearing, 'n iron works in Lincoln Neb. has seals for many apps, 'n is my "go to" place for such things,.....

That place yer pointin' at is the shuttle valve, that tells the actuator to push, or pull, when the cable loads up, which happens very quickly,.....

The Good news is, most everybody uses the same actuators, so even though the most common part number for yer drive line is "NLA",.....
You should be able to use a Merc or Volvo actuator,......

 

[Lou C]

I pulled my spare one out of the garage to check, it has the same slit as yours.... (I'm still running the original on my '88 Cobra). If when you grease it, the grease only comes out of that little slit there, then I think its fine, if it oozes out all around the seal it may be ruptured, but It still may function as long as you keep grease and dirt out of it. Try gently greasing it and see where the grease exits.

 

[Lou C]

PS there were 2 styles for the actuators on Cobras, this one (1986-1989) and the later style (1990 and up), the later style was also used on the Volvo/OMC joint venture models and later on when Volvo bought out OMC, up through the SX series. I don't know if they are interchangable, or not, but I see examples of the original style on Ebay from time to time. I picked up a nice one for not much money...

 

[kenny nunez]

The actuator that you have is basically an automotive style used on early pre 65 Fords and some Chevrolets, Any power steering shop can rebuild one. They were also used on some trucks.