Volvo Penta OEM Upper Steering Fork Bushing 872363 | AQ250–AQ290 SP-A DP-A DP-B1 Transom Shield

Volvo Penta OEM Upper Steering Fork Bushing — Part 872363

• Part Number: 872363
• Alternate Catalog Format: 0872363
• Brand: Volvo Penta (Genuine OEM)
• Official Product Type: Sterndrive & Drive Components — Upper Steering Fork Bushing
• Position: Upper steering fork / steering yoke — in the transom shield steering assembly
• Internal Diameter: approx. 36 mm / 1.42 in.
• System: Transom shield steering fork assembly — single-prop and DuoProp configurations
• Supersedes: 853864 (earlier Volvo Penta upper steering fork bushing, replaced by 872363)
• Quantity per Assembly: 2 per assembly on 290A / DP-290A transom shield configurations; 1 per assembly on certain SP-A / MT arrangements — confirm from the Volvo Penta transom shield diagram
• Related Lower Bushing: 872362 (lower steering fork bushing — sold separately)
• Weight: approx. 0.2 kg

Upper position only — confirm position and quantity from the transom shield diagram: 872363 is the upper steering fork bushing. The lower steering fork bushing is 872362. These are different parts — replacing only the lower bushing when the upper is worn will leave steering play unchanged, and vice versa. Confirm the exact position, quantity required (1 or 2 per assembly), and drive model from the Volvo Penta transom shield steering diagram before ordering. This bushing is selected by the transom shield and steering fork configuration, not by engine model alone.

What It Is

The 872363 is the genuine OEM upper steering fork bushing for the transom shield steering-yoke assembly on a wide range of classic Volvo Penta sterndrives. It supports the upper portion of the steering fork in the transom shield, provides a replaceable wear surface between the steering fork and the transom shield bore, and maintains correct steering alignment while preventing direct metal-to-metal contact. 872363 supersedes the earlier Volvo Penta bushing 853864 in current parts diagrams — if your Volvo Penta diagram shows 853864, order 872363. On Volvo Penta 290A / DP-290A connecting-component diagrams, two 872363 bushings are required per assembly. On certain SP-A / MT arrangements, one is listed at the corresponding steering-fork position.

Compatible Applications

Confirm fitment by drive model, serial number, and the Volvo Penta transom shield steering diagram before ordering. Confirm the quantity required (1 or 2 per assembly) from the diagram for the specific drive configuration.

• Volvo Penta AQ250 — transom shield steering fork assembly — upper bushing position
• Volvo Penta AQ270 — transom shield steering fork assembly — upper bushing position
• Volvo Penta AQ275 — transom shield steering fork assembly — upper bushing position
• Volvo Penta AQ280 — transom shield steering fork assembly — upper bushing position
• Volvo Penta AQ290 — transom shield steering fork assembly — upper bushing position
• Volvo Penta SP-A — transom shield steering fork assembly — upper bushing position
• Volvo Penta SP-A1 — transom shield steering fork assembly — upper bushing position
• Volvo Penta SP-A2 — transom shield steering fork assembly — upper bushing position
• Volvo Penta SP-A / MT — transom shield steering fork assembly — upper bushing position
• Volvo Penta DP-A — transom shield steering fork assembly — upper bushing position
• Volvo Penta DP-A1 — transom shield steering fork assembly — upper bushing position
• Volvo Penta DP-A2 — transom shield steering fork assembly — upper bushing position
• Volvo Penta DP-B1 — transom shield steering fork assembly — upper bushing position
• 290A / DP-290A transom shield assemblies — 2 required per assembly

Not sure it fits? Send us your Volvo Penta drive or transom shield serial number before ordering.

Related Steering Components

Volvo Penta transom shield steering diagrams show 872363 used with the following components. These are sold separately:

• 872362 — Lower steering fork bushing (replace at the same service if worn)
• 853863 — Earlier lower bushing reference
• 853864 — Earlier upper bushing reference — superseded by 872363
• 873183 — Steering yoke / steering fork replacement assembly (later parts chain)
• 853048 / 24691607 — Related pivot bushing (depending on transom configuration)
• 876150 — Transom shield assembly (selected applications)

Part Numbers

• 872363 — Current Volvo Penta OEM upper steering fork bushing
• 0872363 — Alternate Volvo Penta catalog format
• 853864 — Earlier Volvo Penta bushing superseded by 872363 — if your diagram shows 853864, order 872363
• RM872363 — Aftermarket cross-reference

When to Replace

Inspect or replace the upper steering fork bushing when:

• Excessive steering play or looseness is present at the steering wheel or tiller
• The steering fork feels loose or has visible side-to-side movement in the transom shield
• The bushing bore is visibly worn, out-of-round, or cracked
• Corrosion or contamination has caused binding or stiffness in the steering fork movement
• The steering fork or transom shield is being rebuilt or overhauled
• Wear is found at the upper bushing position during removal of the steering yoke

Always inspect the lower bushing (872362) at the same time — if the upper bushing is worn, the lower is typically in a similar condition. Replacing both bushings at the same service avoids a second disassembly shortly after.

Service Interval

No fixed interval — inspect on condition. The upper steering fork bushing is typically accessed during transom shield overhaul, bellows service, or any service that requires removal of the steering fork assembly. On older drives, this bushing is a common wear item — worn bushings allow the steering fork to move out of alignment, placing additional load on adjacent steering and sealing components. Proactive replacement during any transom service where the steering fork is removed is a sound approach, given the low cost of the bushing relative to the labor involved in a second disassembly.

Installation Notes

• Confirm 872363 is the correct upper steering fork bushing from the Volvo Penta transom shield diagram for the specific drive model and serial number — and confirm whether 1 or 2 bushings are required for the assembly
• Inspect the steering fork shaft for scoring, wear, or corrosion before installing the new bushing — a worn shaft will accelerate bushing wear after replacement
• Inspect the transom shield bore for corrosion or damage where the bushing seats
• Replace the lower bushing (872362) at the same service if there is any sign of wear — it is accessible with the assembly already apart
• Use the correct Volvo Penta service tool or press method for bushing removal and installation — avoid driving the bushing in unevenly, which can distort the bore
• Inspect nearby seals and O-rings while the assembly is apart and replace any that show wear or damage
• Confirm the steering fork turns freely without binding and without excessive play after assembly before returning the drive to service

Technical FAQ

Q: What is the difference between 872363 and 872362?
872363 is the upper steering fork bushing; 872362 is the lower steering fork bushing. They are separate parts installed at different positions in the transom shield steering fork assembly. Replacing only the upper bushing when the lower is also worn will not fully restore steering tightness — inspect both positions whenever the assembly is disassembled.

Q: How many 872363 bushings does my assembly need?
The quantity varies by drive configuration. On 290A / DP-290A transom shield assemblies, two 872363 bushings are required per assembly. On certain SP-A / MT arrangements, one is listed at the corresponding steering-fork position. Confirm the quantity from the Volvo Penta transom shield diagram for the specific drive model before ordering.

Q: My parts diagram shows 853864 — can I order 872363?
Yes. 872363 is the current OEM replacement for 853864. If your Volvo Penta parts diagram or catalog shows 853864 at the upper steering fork bushing position, order 872363.

Q: What happens if I run with worn steering fork bushings?
Worn upper steering fork bushings allow the steering fork to develop side play in the transom shield. This increases load on adjacent steering and sealing components, can cause uneven steering response, and in severe cases can allow the steering fork to move in ways that stress the surrounding transom assembly. Replacing worn bushings promptly is the lowest-cost way to prevent more extensive steering or transom damage.

Parts Desk Insights

The most important thing to communicate about 872363 is the position — it is the upper steering fork bushing, not the lower. Customers doing a transom service sometimes order one bushing when they need two (for 290A / DP-290A assemblies), or order only the upper without checking the lower. Recommending both 872363 (upper) and 872362 (lower) together as a bushing set whenever the steering fork is being serviced avoids a parts shortage mid-repair. On older AQ and early DP/SP drives, these bushings are a very common wear item — if a customer is reporting sloppy steering on a classic Volvo sterndrive, this is one of the first places to look. Given the low cost relative to the transom labor involved, replacing the full bushing set during any scheduled transom or bellows service is worth recommending proactively.