Power steering pulley

[NateDogg]

First of all I have a '98 230 BR - 454 MPI - Bravo I

My plastic power steering pulley gave out about an hour into my first weekend on the water. Had to get a tow back to the marina. Not cool. What do you think would cause this? Why is this pulley plastic?

Does anyone know if there is there an upgrade available, if so do you have the part number?

Any an all suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Plastic because it's cheaper. Broke because of heat and age. Same thing happened on my '98 210. It was quite a few years ago - don't remember if I replaced it with a metal one, or not. When you call your dealer or a parts store, ask them if it's metal.

 

[flflatrate]

they do have a metal pulley. I think it is a kit

 

[Jersey Mike]

I think there is a mercury bulletin covering this, replacement should be metal...very high failure rate...used them in the late 90's...my '01's are metal...everyone check there pulleys!...dealers were changing these as preventative several years ago...

 

[NateDogg]

Thank you all. Looks like the pulley and belt kit is going to run about $100 and shouldn't be too complicated of an installation.

 

[flflatrate]

sometimes it is a pain to press it on the pump

 

[NateDogg]

I just talked with a Mercruiser dealer and I think I'm going to take it to them to do the installation. While they are in there I'm going to have them rebuild the raw water pump.