hard steering at idle/low speeds

[Pat M.]

Hi All,

I have 94 Caravelle 19' open bow ski & fish with a 5.0FL Volvo Penta. I am having trouble with steering at idle and slow speeds. I was told that my steering cable probably was the culpret and should be changed. Once I got the cable free from the steering valve/cylinder, I turned the wheel and the cable moved freely without any noticable dragging or catches.

The boat has rack and pinion power steering.

Would you still suspect the cable? or are there other likely suspects.

Thanks In Advance,

Pat M.

 

[Nandy]

Re: hard steering at idle/low speeds

Pat, if you disconnected the cable at the motor end and it moves freely then I will say your problem is not your cable. I cant comment about the hydraulic system as I never had one. I think you are heading the right direction... If possible, connect the cable back and disconnect just the motor, leaving the hydraulics in and see if you can still move the wheel easy...

 

[Pat M.]

Re: hard steering at idle/low speeds

Nandy,

Thanks for the input. It's an I/O so I'm not sure how to do what you're saying with disconnecting the motor. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated from all.

Pat M.

 

[Bondo]

Re: hard steering at idle/low speeds

Once I got the cable free from the steering valve/cylinder,

Ayuh,.... Did it come apart Hard,.....

If it Did,....
My WAGuess is,... That is the Problem Point.......

Clean it up real Good,... Grease the 'ell out of it, put it together,...
And,...
Go Boating......

 

[Pat M.]

Re: hard steering at idle/low speeds

It is gummed up on that end so I will clean it, grease it and give it a try. Do you think there is any danger of the cable being worn badly? I am talking o the point of failure, since when I took it loose at the engine it seemed smooth. If I still have this same problem after cleaning & greasing, would you still suspect the cable?

Thanks for you input!!

 

[Nandy]

Re: hard steering at idle/low speeds

Awwww, shuts!! Brain fart, sorry... If your cable is worn out I would change it as it will be problematic if it fails while you are in the water away from port. But, i will try to make sure that is also the cause of the problem as you might need to order more than just the cable. Im not an I/O guy, by any means....

 

[Bondo]

Re: hard steering at idle/low speeds

I turned the wheel and the cable moved freely without any noticable dragging or catches. Do you think there is any danger of the cable being worn badly? I am talking o the point of failure, since when I took it loose at the engine it seemed smooth.

Ayuh,...
If the Cable,+ Helm move Freely, from lock to lock,... It's Fine......

Merc's use an aluminum tube, I believe your Volvo does as well,... It gets corroded,+ Sticks...
The Only other place it can be Sticking,+ Dragging, is the Outdrive's Pivot Points,....
Grease them too...

 

[Pat M.]

Re: hard steering at idle/low speeds

what kind of grease? will my marine bearing grease for my wheels work?

 

[Pat M.]

Re: hard steering at idle/low speeds

I got it greased, put it back together, and in the water tonight...... WORKED like a charm!!! I also hit the grease fitting on the lower unit, so I can't say 100% which it was. But Bond-O is definately right about any grease being better than none.

I used my marine bearing grease on the lower unit and a teflon specialty grease by Merc. on the cable end.


Thanks Again!!!!