1993 Alpha1 stiff steering

[Jay Curtis]

Transom SN OF326150 OD SN OF 235939 1993 Crownline 21' cuddy

my power steering is real stiff until almost wide open throttle then it loosens up

i took the steering cable loose and it moves real easy the out drive was a little stiff and i can feel the pressure on the steering rack when i move the out drive so that it pushes the rod in i am not sure if it is harder to move with the engine running or not

power steering pump was out of fliud when i put the boat in last year added fluid and the boat still steered stiff

i lubed the cable and steering rod no difference so i assumed that the pump was bad
i guess my main question is should it take some effort to push the drive back and forth against that steering gear?

it does not feel like the top and botton bearings are bad just like the gear is stiff

thanks for the help

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1993 Alpha1 stiff steering

Ayuh,.... Before ya go buyin' parts, loosen the Big nut on the cable, 'n pull it outa the aluminum tube at the transom,....

Quite often, they corrode inside the tube, causin' resistance,...

 

[Jay Curtis]

Re: 1993 Alpha1 stiff steering

thats where i greased it last year it moves easily through that at least while it is disconnected from the steering arm
the drive disconnected from the cable ans still moves hard