Hard Steering

[stroker1]

1987 Sea Ray Amberjack with Twin 205's<br />Very difficult to to turn steering wheel with or without engine running.<br />I disconnected the steering cable, and the wheel spins freely. I disconnected the tie bar and power steering unit from the startboard drive, and both drives move freely from side to side by hand. With the Power steering unit still in the boat, connected to the pump, it is very difficult to move the ram in or out. I removed the power steering assembly from the boat, and push in on the ram, and fluid pushes out on the hose connections. Once all of the fluid was out of the ram, the ram moved in and out very easily.<br />Any ideas?? Is there a problem in the ram, or in the pump.<br /><br />Let me know

 

[Don S]

Re: Hard Steering

Merc, Volvo, OMC ????? Have no idea what Twin 205's are. I know you have power steering, is it cable, or hydraulic helms.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Hard Steering

if DonS was a real tech his cystal ball would tell it.<br /> mine is down for maintenece tonight.<br /> danged high priced techs.

 

[Don S]

Re: Hard Steering

My crystal ball is broken also, they sure don't build em like they used to.<br />Was using the other method, but it doesn't seem to be working either.<br /><br />

 

[stroker1]

Re: Hard Steering

Mercruiser Alpha one's

 

[Don S]

Re: Hard Steering

Many times the aluminum tube that the steering cable goes into gets corroded and causes the stiff steering. If you just took the nut loose and the pin out of the steering cable on the drive arm, then the drives would move freely and the cable is not attached to the PS cylinder anymore and will allow the cable to stay put in the tube and extend and retract away from the PS unit.<br />See if you can pull the steering cable clear out of the power steering cylinder tube.<br /><br />

 

[stroker1]

Re: Hard Steering

It has nothing to do with the steering cable. I disconnect the pin, and the steering wheel turns very easily. Its in the Power steering assembly or the pump.