steering pivot water leak HDS

[TRST]

1999 Malibu Sunsetter LXI  (I'm back to a Malibu after 7 years with a CC 196, this is my first open bow)

This is my third season with the boat and I knew I had a water leak last season and attributed it to HDS leaking at the liner.  Yesterday I took the boat out to check everything out for the season and found water leaking around the steering pivot shaft at the back of the HDS box.  Anyone have experience with this?  Do I just take the cover off and hold the nut and tighten the bolt?  I can turn  the bolt topside but it does not get tight it just spins.  

 

Edited April 27, 2019 by TRST

[Chaabo]

Yup, happens.

Remove lid from HDS box, take out bolt that holds the steering pivot piece, clean everything up and re-install using marine grade silicone. Make sure not to over tighten the bolt as the pivot has still to be able to turn on the bolt. Re-seal the lid and you are good to go.

[TRST]

Not much fun getting the HDS lid off.  There was a ton of silicon holding it on which translates into a lot of scraping  on both surfaces before reassembly.  I was planning to reassemble with 3M 4200 unless there is a better recommendation?

[justgary]

4200 is a good choice.