Loose steering diagnosis steps, A1Gen2

[JoJoBetsy]

Hello all,<br /><br />I'm sorry if I've beat this subject to death but it's buggin the livin' @#$% out of me and I know if I give up and relinquish it to the mechanic I'll have no play money for a while.<br /><br />I'm not terribly sure if this is truly a problem per se that needs to be fixed, but I defer to your better judgment(s) in any case before my money and boat go away for a while.<br /><br />Loose steering in my case is the fact that the steering wheel will turn loosely for about 4-5" of travel before I feel any drag which I'm guessing is the drag applied to the system by the outdrive being moved. Here's what I know so far.<br /><br />- The power steering pump is working.<br />- When the wheel is turned, it immediately actuates the ps rack. <br />- There is less than 1/2" of play at the cav plate in the outdrive when the steering wheel is held in place.<br /><br />What I'd like to know is what are the steps to diagnosing a loose steering problem, and, from what I've described thus far, is the general consensus that there is a problem?<br /><br />Any help is absolutely appreciated and I hope everyone's boating season is fun and safe and...inexpensive.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Loose steering diagnosis steps, A1Gen2

If that 1/2" is at the Rear most end of the Cav Plate,............. Go Boating..............<br /><br />If that 1/2" is at the Leading Edge,...... You've got a Project for Next Winter...........And,.. Go Boating Anyways..........

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: Loose steering diagnosis steps, A1Gen2

bad worm gear in the steering box under the steering wheel was my problem!?

 

[JoJoBetsy]

Re: Loose steering diagnosis steps, A1Gen2

It's at the outermost portion of the cav plate. I thought for sure it was going to be the worm gear in the tiller rack as well but when I have the first mate turn the wheel while I am watching the end do its business on the power steering rack it moves immediately, so I believed that eliminated the tiller rack all together. <br /><br />I contacted Teleflex to get another tiller rack and they unbelieveably replied that I didn't need a new rack as 1) the tiller IS moving the ps rack, and 2) normal play in the tiller rack is around 4". But I got to tell you guys that that 4" or so of play is nerve racking to say the least. You don't want to grab the wheel and feel that thing move freely that much before you get feedback from something actually moving, do ya? So, I kept my money and took Teleflex's advice and started looking further down the system for problems but that is where I'm stuck.

 

[Don S]

Re: Loose steering diagnosis steps, A1Gen2

What you are experiencing is completly normal in boats with cable steering. Your options are simple. Cable steering and rack and pinion has slop in them, nature of the beast. Boats don't require steering as tight as the auto industry does.<br />If you want every thing real tight, upgrade to hydraulic steering (not the same as power steering). But don't expect it to be 0 lash either.

 

[JoJoBetsy]

Re: Loose steering diagnosis steps, A1Gen2

Good to know, thanks again Don. I guess the most annoying thing about the lash [I knew there was a more technical term for it] is when I am below wake speed in a no wake zone. The boat just wanders port to star over and over requiring a lot of steering input. I'll have the outdrive tilted all the way down to put the bow into the water as much as it can be so that it has half a chance at a straight line but no luck, it just wonders its way forward. I've tried having the outdrive tilted up and it just gets worse. The best it gets is when there are a few passengers in the bow which digs the front in.<br /><br />Typical for a deep-v?<br /><br />I appreciate the time y'all put into replying and making my boating world more familiar and this forum jojobetsy friendly.<br /><br />jb

 

[Don S]

Re: Loose steering diagnosis steps, A1Gen2

I had a feeling that was the reason for the original post. With a single prop outdrive, you are going to have that low speed wandering even if you had hydraulic steering and Zero Lash. It's the nature of the beast.<br />Practice and not overcompensating will get you a fairly straight course.<br />Putting the drive all the way down will also put the bow deeper into the water.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Loose steering diagnosis steps, A1Gen2

Originally posted by Don S:<br /> <br />Putting the drive all the way down will also put the bow deeper into the water.

Thus making the "Deep-V Wander" worse. Practice finding a spot where you can leave the wheel the longest before the course totally doesn't come back close. On my boat, the steering wheel is just left of center. The bow will wander right, then left, then right, then the second time to the left it goes way left, & I have to correct the wheel to the right. Catch my drift?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Loose steering diagnosis steps, A1Gen2

Originally posted by TilliamWe:<br /> Practice finding a spot where you can leave the wheel the longest before the course totally doesn't come back close. On my boat, the steering wheel is just left of center. The bow will wander right, then left, then right, then the second time to the left it goes way left, & I have to correct the wheel to the right. Catch my drift?

Ayuh,....... Less steering Input is usually Better..........