OMC low profile stringer steering

Hi Everyone.

I have a 1977 Sea Ray cuddy cabin 21 foot I/O with a 351 ford and OMC low profile sterndrive. Steering has been very smooth. Overhauled the sterndrive this summer, replaced the thrust washer that goes between the W/P and swivel housing. Also installed the rubber O ring that goes on the W/P housing and set's down on the exhaust housing. Both were missing before I done this. Now the steering is hard when in the water, but on dry land turn's easy. I'm seeking an answer as to why, and also can I remove that large O ring since is was not there before without any ill issues? Thinking that may be binding and causing the hard steering now.

badcrank 7

There is a “O” ring that goes around the outer perimeter of the water pump housing that is to aid in keeping exhaust gasses from entering the incoming cooling water. You may have put the plastic thrust washer upside down.
The large sealing ring that seals the lower section of the upper housing to the exhaust housing should not cause a bind.
Does the bind happen only when the boat is on plane or in neutral ?
If you installed the worm gear with the thrust bearings not sandwiched between the hardend thrust washers that would cause the problem.
You will have to drop the lower after disconnecting the shift wire.
To inspect the bearings. remove the top cover, then the 6 Phillips head screws, pry the gear housing cover off and check that the bearings are installed correctly. If the bearings are installed incorrectly just remove the upper from the boat and r&r the worm and bearings.
Be sure to center the helm and the drive to also be centered before reinstalling to get full l-r sterinng.
I cannot think of anything else that would cause the problem you are describing.

I had a kinda similar problem. I did a full rebuild on my drive including all bearings,races and all the drive shafts. Put it all together and would not turn. There are (atleast on mine) shims in the very top cap where the center post is. I removed .005 shim and freed up. Not your problem but it does show how if you are ever so slightly off with something......