If you need to replace your Cobra power steering actuator here are a few tips…

[Lou C]

Just had to do this on my 1988 4.3 Cobra, it was the original unit so I can’t complain too much. A small leak turned into a big one dumping p/s fluid in the bilge. I was able to pick up a good condition used one and NOS actuator and hydraulic cylinder. There are 2 issues with this job:
Access and the 4 cotter pins from He!!. I removed the whole exhaust system and was able to get at it. The big cotter pins that are inserted next to the mounting bolts (15/16th”) are tough to get out. I used a combination of Kroil and Freeze off plus this cotter pin extraction tool to get them out. Both were tough. The bolts came loose pretty easy but it’s hard to get at the bottom one. The other 2 cotter pins (steering arm and steering cable) were not as bad but hard to see. The pins for both came right out. The steering cable I had greased every season so it just slid out. Gotta get this tool for this job. And make sure to grease that cable each year….

 

[kenny nunez]

It looks like it was a real PITA Lou. When I answered your question I could not remember if you had the later style that is all aluminum of the one you did have. A lot of times the steel cylinder gets a rust hole leak or one of the 2 lines between the valve and cylinder. I have that cotter pin tool also.

 

[Lou C]

Yep its is not an easy job, mainly because of the fact that the big cotter pins fit very tightly. I think on a lot of modern boats you'd have to pull the engine.
After looking it over it appears that the leak was from the actuator valve not the power piston, because there is an oily mix of grease and ATF around the seals for the valve. There was some rust on the end of it but not enough to cause a leak.
The older style that I have, was also used on Mercruisers, I think the only difference was they used lock tabs on the 2 big mounting bolts instead of cotter pins. And interestingly enough, this unit is an adapted automotive style assist system, I had something very similar on a 1970 Ford Torino we had years ago and I see that what looks like the same thing, on 1963-1983 Corvettes, still being sold today! I don't know if there are differences internally but the parts look the same.
One thing I wondered about, is can you substitute the newer style one that was used by OMC and VP for these old units?

 

[Lou C]

Got the new unit in today made sure to grease all the cotter pins if I ever have to remove it in the future.

 

[Lou C]

Finished up today, bled the air out, just kept running it stopping every couple of min to check the fluid level, took about 15-20 min of running to get it all out, stopped when the level in the reservoir stabilized. This is one job I really hope to only have to do ONCE!