Alpha 'Gen I' Trim Cylinder Continuity

[Brentathon]

Every year, I always check continuity with ALL sections of my sterndrive. This year, I've noticed that one of my cylinders does not have continuity with the rest of the drive (I usually touch the probe on an exposed surface of the rod). Are the cylinders only connected (electrically) to the rest of the drive by the stainless steel braiding of the hoses? Other than the braiding, they seem isolated by the rubber bushings, no?
Could I clamp a collar-type zinc on the ends of the rods, for added protection?...until I possibly replace the hoses?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... There should be a little ssteel spring on the transom end mount to connect the cylinders to the housin',.....

It's within' the washers on the shaft,...

 

[Brentathon]

Thanks for the reply.
I just don't see it....I'm looking at the Alpha One cylinder diagram (serial numbers [h=1]6216687 THRU 0F386995[/h] ....in fact, both front and rear shafts (17-14873A1 & 17-14872A1) seem completely isolated...although they're not what I'm checking, anyway.
To me, it only appears that the hoses metallically connect the cylinders.
I'll do some more buzzing. I do have issues getting continuity between my waffle zinc and the hydraulic manifold; and that's why I added continuity wires between the waffle's mounting bolts and the 2 nub zincs. I'll check the manifold with the rest of the assembly.
Some how...there must be internal continuity between the cylinders and the rods, as well.....I'll have to see it that's the issue.