Assist Cylinder on an OMC kicker bracket?

[Adm Byrd]

When we started fishing Seneca Saturday morning and lowered the kicker it dropped - apparently the shock absorber looking assist cylinder died over the winter. Did some snooping on the web to vary little info. I pulled it off this afternoon and took it apart - the shaft has wear marks half way around at each end where the seals ride. There was only a trace of oil in it and I'm assuming it was pressurized when manufactured. There appears to be a plug driven and peened into the fill hole. Anybody else been here and had any success?

Thanks,

Bob