mercruiser 45523 cylinders won't retract

[Rranger]

My cylinders extended no problem after installing engine and outdrive in a new boat. But they won't retract. The starboard one with both hoses off would not retract when I tried pushing on it. Didn't see the need to check the port one knowing the starboard one is seized. I have a couple of questions, should I remove them and use a press to try to pop them loose and if they pop loose are they good to go assuming the seals are still good.

 

[Bondo]

My cylinders extended no problem after installing engine and outdrive in a new boat. But they won't retract. The starboard one with both hoses off would not retract when I tried pushing on it. Didn't see the need to check the port one knowing the starboard one is seized. I have a couple of questions, should I remove them and use a press to try to pop them loose and if they pop loose are they good to go assuming the seals are still good.

Ayuh,.... Ya gotta collapse 'em 1 way or another,.... on or off the boat, yer choice,....

If yer lucky, there's a build up of crud 'round the gland seals, where the shiny shaft meets the painted part,...
Ya might get 'em freed up,...
They might need to be rebuilt,...
Or they could be junk,...

1 thing that does tend to cause 'em to "Stick" at full extension is when runnin' the drive Up, 'n ya hear the motor labor against the load, the point ya stop the up button,....
Tap the Down button a couple times, to relieve the overload on the pump's valvin',...

 

[Rranger]

Appreciate the reply. The cylinders and engine have been sitting in my garage for at least 3 years and it probably wasn't used for at least 4 years before that. Outdrive is off so I'm going to take both rams off and take them apart and see if they need cleaning. . Hopefully a cleaning and a seal kit will do the trick. Engine runs great, get these rams fixed and my Bennett trim tabs going and the end is near.