Failure mode 1
Oil at the shaft
The rod seal is failing, and hydraulic assist drops until the wheel is nearly impossible to turn.
- 100% positive customer feedback
- 1,800+ parts shipped
- 20+ years rebuilding hydraulic cylinders
- American-made Viton pressure seals
- 2-year warranty on rebuilds
- Ships from Alcoa, Tennessee
STOP THE LEAK.KEEP THE BOAT MOVING.
Three repair paths, organized by part number. One rebuilder who will tell you honestly which path makes sense.
- 100% positive customer feedback
- 472 feedback ratings
- 1,800+ parts shipped
Choose the symptom that looks familiar.
Steering gets HEAVY before the day gets broken.
Failure mode 2
Steering getting stiff
A cracked plastic piston bleeds pressure through the cracks. Karl replaces it with a machined aluminum piston, a fix most shops do not offer.
Excellent! Quick service & turnaround, great repair. I'm especially happy that they replaced the plastic piston with a machined aluminum one. Only shop I've found to do this. I'd definitely use them again.
Failure mode 3
Outer-to-inner housing seal failure
Left too long, the aluminum cylinders rub and the unit fails beyond repair. When this leak starts, time matters.
Choose the path, not the parts pile
Three ways back to RELIABLE steering.
01 / Ready to install
Buy Remanufactured
A Karl-remanufactured actuator, rebuilt with American-made Viton pressure seals and shipped ready to install from Alcoa, Tennessee.
From $599.00
02 / Send yours
Rebuild Yours
Mail in your actuator and Karl rebuilds it with American-made Viton pressure seals and a 2-year warranty. Typical turnaround is 1 to 2 days after your unit arrives.
A brand new Volvo Penta steering actuator retails at $1,181.75. A Karl rebuild of your own unit is $399, with American-made Viton pressure seals and a 2-year warranty.
From $399.00
03 / Do it yourself
Seal Kit + DIY
Order the correct seal kit by part number, with American-made Viton pressure seals, and do the rebuild yourself.
From $19.95
Parts & Service
Volvo Penta power steering actuator 21910902
3862513 · 3860883
3D preview
Slide to take it apart. Drag to turn it. Tap a part to see its listing.
Not sure which kits to buy for your actuator?
If your unit looks like this, click the unit that looks like yours to see which seal kits go with it.
The Store
Find your part
Search by part number or narrow by family. Fitment is by part number and drive family only. Every part is purchased in Karl's eBay store; each listing below links you there.
Shopping this path
Rebuild Yours
These are existing catalog paths to review, not a fitment guarantee. Match by part number or call Karl before ordering.
Rebuild Yours
Volvo Penta and Yanmar Power Steering Actuator Rebuild Service
Part 21910902
Volvo Penta standard · Fits 21910902, 3862513, 3860883
See price on eBayView part
Rebuild Yours
Volvo Penta Early Style Actuator Rebuild Service
Volvo Penta early-style
See price on eBayView part
Rebuild Yours
Power Steering Actuator Rebuild Service
Part 872215
Yanmar cross · Fits 872215, 3854704
See price on eBayView part
Who is the rebuilder?
KARL POELTL
Karl Poeltl is the owner and rebuilder behind Rocky Top Yachting's marine steering shop in Alcoa, Tennessee. He rebuilds Volvo Penta and Yanmar power steering actuators, prepares remanufactured actuators, and supplies seal kits organized by part number.
Karl was raised on the water by his parents and now carries that same tradition forward with his own family.
Karl has spent more than 20 years remanufacturing hydraulic cylinders. His actuator rebuilds use American-made Viton pressure seals, and a cracked plastic piston is replaced with a machined aluminum piston.
If a shaft or housing is beyond saving, Karl says so. Every Rocky Top Yachting rebuild carries a 2-year warranty, and customers can call Karl directly when a part number or repair path is unclear.
Proof from the work
What customers say about Karl
Verified Reviews
This was the fastest turn around on anything I've ever done with eBay! This guy knows his stuff and rebuilt our steering actuator AND sent it out to us the same day!!! Thanks so much! We were going to be without our yacht for the 4th of July with many guests but thanks to the amazing rebuild and quickest return to us we only missed a week on the lake. Would give this man the highest recommendation of all! Truly refreshing to know people still take pride in their work!
This is probably the best seller I have dealt with on eBay. His service is extremely fast and reliable. He even went so far as to text and call me about an issue with my old actuator. He then explained how he could get my problem solved and did so. I would recommend this company to anyone needing an actuator rebuilt.
Amazing turn around. They had my actuator rebuilt and ready for the carrier to pick up same day they received it. Thanks again
Excellent! Quick service & turnaround, great repair. I'm especially happy that they replaced the plastic piston with a machined aluminum one. Only shop I've found to do this. I'd definitely use them again.
sent my actuator in, the day it arrived he called me and said the shaft was toast and unfortunately, I need to buy new and sent me a link and refunded my money same day. I highly recommend, I feel most shop would have taken my money now a days...if I ever need his service, I'll definitely be back!!
FAQ
Steering questions, answered
How do I buy a steering part from Rocky Top Yachting?
You buy in Karl's eBay store. Every part on this site links to it; search the part number there to find the listing. For a rebuild service, order on eBay and then mail your unit to the shop in Alcoa, Tennessee.
What are my options for fixing a failed actuator?
Rocky Top Yachting offers three paths: rebuild your own unit, buy a remanufactured actuator, or buy a seal kit and do the rebuild yourself.
Do you sell seal kits separately from actuators?
Yes. Rocky Top Yachting sells complete seal kits, inner cylinder kits, outer housing seals, and piston seals by part number, separate from any actuator purchase.
How do I know my actuator is failing?
A failing Volvo Penta or Yanmar power steering actuator shows one of three signs. Oil leaking at the shaft means the rod seal is failing and hydraulic assist drops until the wheel is nearly impossible to turn. A leak at the outer-to-inner housing seal matters most: left too long, the aluminum cylinders rub and the unit fails beyond repair. Steering that gets stiffer over time points to a cracked plastic piston bleeding pressure through the cracks.
Do you rebuild my actuator or swap in a used one?
Karl rebuilds your own unit with American-made Viton pressure seals and returns it to you. If the plastic piston is cracked, he replaces it with a machined aluminum piston.
Can an actuator with a cracked piston be rebuilt?
Yes. Karl replaces the cracked plastic piston with a machined aluminum piston, a fix most shops do not offer.
Can every actuator be fully rebuilt?
Most can. Some older units without the retaining clip near the threads cannot have the two large housing seals replaced. If you are not sure about yours, call Karl: 865-604-3282.
How do I send my unit in for rebuild?
Do not place a rebuild order until your unit is ready to ship. Ship it to Rocky Top Yachting, 3267 Northpark Blvd, Suite F, Alcoa, TN 37701, and include a written note in the box with your name, phone, email, and return shipping address. Typical turnaround is 1 to 2 days after your unit arrives.
How fast is the turnaround on a rebuild?
Typical turnaround at Rocky Top Yachting is 1 to 2 days after your unit arrives at the shop in Alcoa, Tennessee.
Why rebuild instead of buying new?
A brand new Volvo Penta steering actuator retails at $1,181.75. A Karl rebuild of your own unit is $399, with American-made Viton pressure seals and a 2-year warranty.
What warranty comes with a rebuild?
Every Rocky Top Yachting rebuild carries a 2-year warranty.
Which part numbers do you cover?
Rocky Top Yachting covers Volvo Penta and Yanmar power steering actuator part numbers including 21910902, 3812269, 3860883 and similar. If you are not sure which part fits, call Karl: 865-604-3282.
The low-risk next step
A part number can SAVE a week of guessing.
Have the number from your actuator? Karl can point you to the right path.
Rocky Top Yachting Marine Shop
Rocky Top Yachting Marine Shop in Alcoa, Tennessee helps boat owners, marine mechanics, and DIY repairers solve Volvo Penta and Yanmar power steering actuator problems. The shop offers mail-in actuator rebuild services, Karl-remanufactured actuators, and seal kits organized by part number so customers can choose the right repair path without guessing.
Work directly with Karl
- 865-604-3282
- info@RockyTopYachting.com
- 3267 Northpark Blvd, Suite F
Alcoa, TN 37701