Steering During a Turn???

[floatit]

OK, I have a 1997 20' Four Winns with Volvo Penta I/O.<br /><br />When i make a left hand u-turn (to go pick up a skier) and then try to straigthened steering back to the right it is really stiff to turn the wheel. This is all done with the Trim all the way down.<br /><br />I checked the Power Steering fluid and it is full. I dont think i have a cable because it is a hydraulic system from the factory. <br /><br />I do notice that while going at WOT and Trim down it is a little stiff to turn also but when the trim is up and on plane it responds really well.<br /><br />Does anyboady have any recommnedations on this??<br /><br />Thanks..

 

[floatit]

Re: Steering During a Turn???

Bump

 

[AdamB]

Re: Steering During a Turn???

I know you have a volvo and I have an alpha-one, but am going to answer since nobody else jumped in yet.<br /><br />My manual says the trim tab (right in front of prop) will actually help with this if it steers harder one way then the other. You just adjust the fin on the tab and it is suppose to compensate. Not sure if your volvo has anything similiar????

 

[QC]

Re: Steering During a Turn???

We had been discussing this on another thread recently. Lots of opinions. Here's mine: I have had three I/Os; an '84 OMC stringer without power steering and it did have a trim tab on the drive ventilation plate., a 95 Alpha 1 with power steering and no tab, a Bravo 1 with power steering and no tab.<br /><br />Adjustment on the tab for the OMC would have a pretty dramatic affect on the problem you describe, but again it did NOT have power steering. My Alpha with a 5.7 and power steering did not have a tab and did not need one. Steered smoothly at all RPM, trim and speeds. My Bravo has been the same. Both the Alpha and the Bravo were/are on 55 MPH boats, so there is plenty of torque being applied to the drive from the prop.<br /><br />The point I think is that something seems to be wrong with your unit although it is a Volvo and I have not owned one. I am especially disturbed that the power steering doesn't seem to be able to overcome the steering torque even when at reasonably high RPM. Whether the trim is down or not the steering shoud be stronger than that. Hopefully someone with some Volvo experience like Don S will chime in.<br /><br />BTW, welcome to Iboats.

 

[floatit]

Re: Steering During a Turn???

Thanks for the input guys.<br /><br />I dont have a tab below the cavataion plate so there is no adjustment except for the trim on the outdrive.<br /><br />The steering seems to be really easy when at WOT and trimmed up. But at lower speeds it is harder with the trim down.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Steering During a Turn???

?If I am not mistaken the system is hydraulically assisted. You will still have a cable. Did you check the belt to the PS Pump?

 

[floatit]

Re: Steering During a Turn???

I did check the belt to the PS pump and it looked tight and in good condition. I dont hear any slipping of the belt at all.<br /><br />If the the Motor has a Power Steering Pump and the Helm is a Hydraulic Cylinder it will still have a cable for steering?

 

[QC]

Re: Steering During a Turn???

I don't think the helm is a hydraulic cylinder, it just looks like one. I bet a big cable comes out the end of that cylinder housed in a big sheath that looks like a hose.<br /><br />I think a true hydraulic steering system would look like this, the ram in the stern not behind the helm, right?<br /><br /> http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=17453

 

[floatit]

Re: Steering During a Turn???

So if there was a cable how would it connect to the ram that is in the stern?

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Steering During a Turn???

That’s where it's coupled to the hydraulic assist portion of the system. The cable will be terminated into that system.

 

[floatit]

Re: Steering During a Turn???

Is it fairly easy to disconnect them from the hydraulic assit portion or is it something a shop should do?

 

[floatit]

Re: Steering During a Turn???

Has anybody replaced their steering cable on their Four winns?<br /><br />Any spec problems you encountered doing this?