3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

[4hunters]

Hello,
I'm new to boating as well as this forum. Did a quick search for the answer to my question but didn't find much. I have a '94 Bayliner 1950 Capri bowrider with a Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha One motor, both in excellent condition. However, while out on the lake yesterday I made a hard right turn at 3/4 throttle and I felt something in the steering let go.

Now I can only turn left with the steering wheel. I can easily push the motor by hand to steer in either direction (which is how I got back to the ramp). Any ideas on:
1. What broke
2. How to fix
3. Approximate costs involved

Any help would be appreciated. I can send pictures if needed.

Thanks,
Scott

 

[JustJason]

Re: 3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

Welcome to Iboats

1. Dunno... you have to look. Common items would be the pin/bolt that secures the steering ram to the steering arm way back on the inner transom plate. You'll need 2 guys. 1 to turn the wheel and 1 to look with a flashlight.
Also, the steering pivot pin that goes through the gimbal ring, through the outer gimbal housing, up to the steering arm could have rounded through the steering arm. The steering arm could have snapped. Or the gimbal ring is trashed because it wasn't torqued every year.
How much slop was in the steering before it broke. Because they typically do not just "break", barring hitting something underwater.
2. Download the service manual from the "adults only" section for your engine and drive.
3. Could be 2 bucks for a bolt, could be 2 grand for a gimbal ring job, you have to look and see what broke.

 

[4hunters]

Re: 3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

Appreciate the input. Did a quick look but didn't see anything obvious jump out at me. I'll download the manual and see what I can learn.

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

Appreciate the input. Did a quick look but didn't see anything obvious jump out at me. I'll download the manual and see what I can learn.

You won't "See" anything, it's all internal in the cable and helm unit.
It's probably the steering cable itself. NOT covered in the manual BTW.
When you turn left, the helm unit pushs the cable end out at the drive, turning right, it must pull the cable. If the cable is broken, it can't pull.

 

[Simoniz]

Re: 3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

You won't "See" anything, it's all internal in the cable and helm unit.
It's probably the steering cable itself. NOT covered in the manual BTW.
When you turn left, the helm unit pushs the cable end out at the drive, turning right, it must pull the cable. If the cable is broken, it can't pull.

This sounds like th answerto me too - especially as you said you were turning right as the failure occurred.

 

[4hunters]

Re: 3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

Is there anyway to test the cable itself to know for sure that is indeed the problem before I buy a new one to replace it?

 

[JustJason]

Re: 3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

Cables aren't always the easiest to replace in IO's. But wether you have rack or rotary you start by pulling the steering wheel, dropping the helm (that the cable goes into). Undo the cable connection, and see if you can pull it through or not. That's pretty much how you test/check it.
Or, with 3 guys, have 1 guy at the back of the boat straddle the drive, have another guy look at the steering arm in the back of the boat, and have a 3rd guy turn the wheel. If he turns the wheel and the steering arm doesn't move then you know it's the cable and/or rack itself.

 

[KidFloater]

Re: 3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

Hey 4hunters I have a 3.0, Alpha One '97 Bayliner Capri. I replaced the steering cable last summer. The cable wasn't broken but very hard to steer on the water while underway. The hardest part believe it or not was removing the steering wheel. Anyway I completed the job, kinda of a pain but glad I did it. I got the cable from Overton's, it came with the whole kit which was great. If I can do , so can you!

 

[fishinpa]

Re: 3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

Hello,
I'm new to boating as well as this forum. Did a quick search for the answer to my question but didn't find much. I have a '94 Bayliner 1950 Capri bowrider with a Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha One motor, both in excellent condition. However, while out on the lake yesterday I made a hard right turn at 3/4 throttle and I felt something in the steering let go.

Now I can only turn left with the steering wheel. I can easily push the motor by hand to steer in either direction (which is how I got back to the ramp). Any ideas on:
1. What broke
2. How to fix
3. Approximate costs involved

Any help would be appreciated. I can send pictures if needed.

Thanks,
Scott

when you move the (engine ) left and right does the steering wheel follow it in both directions ???


fish

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

when you move the (engine ) left and right does the steering wheel follow it in both directions ???


fish

How do you move the engine left and right ?????? And why? It's bolted down

 

[fishinpa]

Re: 3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

How do you move the engine left and right ?????? And why? It's bolted down

lol had me thinkin outboard when he said


Now I can only turn left with the steering wheel. I can easily push the motor by hand to steer in either direction (which is how I got back to the ramp). Any ideas on:

well back on track i imagine he is talking about the out drive

and my comment would be - if he moves the outdrive left and right --does the steering wheel follow !


fish

 

[4hunters]

Re: 3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

when you move the (engine ) left and right does the steering wheel follow it in both directions ???


fish

No, the motor only moves when I turn the steering wheel as far as it can go to the right. Turning the steering wheel all the way to the left has no effect on the motor.

Scott

 

[4hunters]

Re: 3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

Hey 4hunters I have a 3.0, Alpha One '97 Bayliner Capri. I replaced the steering cable last summer. The cable wasn't broken but very hard to steer on the water while underway. The hardest part believe it or not was removing the steering wheel. Anyway I completed the job, kinda of a pain but glad I did it. I got the cable from Overton's, it came with the whole kit which was great. If I can do , so can you!

Thanks, KidFloater. As soon as I get another person to help me diagnose the problem I'll certainly give it a shot.

 

[4hunters]

Re: 3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

Cables aren't always the easiest to replace in IO's. But wether you have rack or rotary you start by pulling the steering wheel, dropping the helm (that the cable goes into). Undo the cable connection, and see if you can pull it through or not. That's pretty much how you test/check it.
Or, with 3 guys, have 1 guy at the back of the boat straddle the drive, have another guy look at the steering arm in the back of the boat, and have a 3rd guy turn the wheel. If he turns the wheel and the steering arm doesn't move then you know it's the cable and/or rack itself.

Yeah, I can actually see the stearing arm at the back of the boat when I turn the steering wheel. Nothing moves until the very last turns of the steering wheel when I turn the wheel all the way right.

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

No, the motor only moves when I turn the steering wheel ...........

The motor doesn't move, the outdrive is what moves.

You need a steering cable.

 

[4hunters]

Re: 3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

The motor doesn't move, the outdrive is what moves.

You need a steering cable.

Roger that (I've got a lot to learn about boating terminology).

I will order a steering cable.

 

[4hunters]

Re: 3.0L Alpha One '94 Bayliner Steering Broken

Just wanted to update everyone. Installed a new steering system in the boat and everything ran great on the water this weekend. Thanks for all the helpful advice.