Volvo Duoprop steering shaking voilently

[ecriswell]

First off thank you all for your help with my Limp mode thead. I figured I'd run this annoyance by you all to see what you think.

This is a '99 VP 5.7GSi-PEFS with Duo Prop DP-S outdrive, although based on other people having the same problem I dont think this condition is limited to this model.

Since Ive owned the boat, the steering has a tendency to start an uncontrollable "shake" left and right, as if bouncing off some imaginary pinball bumper. The condition is most likely with the drive tilted up anything but completely down. The only way I know to stop the shake is to completely lower the drive, and in some cases you have to turn the wheel all the way to the stop to arrest the shaking loop.

The travel of the actual shake is limited to less than a couple inches, but it happens so violently that is shakes the entire boat.

The boat steers beautifuly and the steering wheel control is feather light. Everything I know to check appears tight, and the reservoir is full with no leaks noticed anywhere.



I did a search and found a number of threads describing exactly what Im experiencing on other V8 Volvos but noone seems to know an answer.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=180209

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=329161

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=201506

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=180269


Regards,
Eric

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Duoprop steering shaking voilently

I did answer the first post in your list.

Fill the reservoir and turn the wheel lock to lock several times with the engine NOT running.

Air causes the shaking. But it can't all be bled with the engine running. I've answered this question many times, problem is, no one comes back and says it fixed the problem. But it must have worked, no one has ever said it didn't work.

 

[ecriswell]

Re: Volvo Duoprop steering shaking voilently

Thanks for the reply Don. So it's abundantly clear, I should rotate the wheel all the way stop to stop with the engine off. This should bleed all air from the lines?

I am unfamiliar with the "Lock" terminology.

I will report back with the result so hopefully those in the future will not have to ask the question again.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Duoprop steering shaking voilently

Lock to lock means the same thing in automotive terms. From all the way left to all the way right. As far as the wheel will turn.
You need to do it several times.

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: Volvo Duoprop steering shaking voilently

Thanks for the reply Don. So it's abundantly clear, I should rotate the wheel all the way stop to stop with the engine off. This should bleed all air from the lines?

I am unfamiliar with the "Lock" terminology.

I will report back with the result so hopefully those in the future will not have to ask the question again.

YES please. An answer this time may help alot of us in the near future!!

 

[ecriswell]

Re: Volvo Duoprop steering shaking voilently

Okay here's the verdict. I rotated the steering full deflection many times both with the motor off and on. The reservoir is still full, and the shaking continues. It is not present when the stern is tilted all the way down. It appears that when the stern is tilted up, and it puts any pressure laterally (ie falling to the side), or I switch direction of steering movement, it starts this continuous loop of shaking. The only way I can stop it is to tilt the drive all the way down, or shut the motor off.

It's very easy to get it into this state, and happens mostly when in shallow water with the drive tilted up slightly. It's the worst time to have it happen because you cant lower the stern and you're in precarious waters to start.

The other threads dealing with seem to mirror my problem exactly. What has been the final remedy?

Thank you.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Duoprop steering shaking voilently

The other threads dealing with seem to mirror my problem exactly. What has been the final remedy?

Hard to say, since many people that do fix their problem, never come back with what the problem was.

 

[ecriswell]

Re: Volvo Duoprop steering shaking voilently

Bump


Id love to get this figured out. My mechanic is worthless and has no idea what to try to fix. I dont want to start throwing money at random parts... seems wasteful.

If anyone has any info I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you.

 

[ecriswell]

Re: Volvo Duoprop steering shaking voilently

Been dealing with this problem for half the summer now. Thought I'd run it by the forum again.

Thanks.

 

[KJSmitty]

Re: Volvo Duoprop steering shaking voilently

I was chatting with a VP mechanic one day and steering wheel oscolation came up. He mentioned a possible malfunction with the "valving" within the power steering system/assembly.

It was one of those - the only thing I can think of comments from the mech.

You may have already concluded that it must be the power steering, yet -and I know it would be difficult to steer, but have you ever tried removing the power steering belt and cruised around to see if it still happens?

 

[ecriswell]

Re: Volvo Duoprop steering shaking voilently

KJ -

Thank you for the reply. The condition does not exist with the power steering disabled. With as many people that apparently have this problem on this board, I cant believe that these mechanics have never heard of it.

I spoke with another VP DP owner that just lives with it because noone could tell him what to fix.

How did this come up with your mechanic? Do you have this problem?

Thanks!

 

[KJSmitty]

Re: Volvo Duoprop steering shaking voilently

Well, after a boating season I had what I described to the VP tech as a slight vibration in the boat and wobble in the steering wheel at mid to slow speeds. His first comment was prop but initially they checked out - that's when he started commenting about a "valving issue" in the PS that would cause steering wheel oscillations. It never went further than that due to we found a bad hub in one of the props etc. This discussion was three years ago but those are/were his exact words.

I have the 5.7 GXi DP

Sorry I can't assist further - I will however stop in and chat with the man if I get out that way this weekend.