2006 18' Ebbtie Bowrider Steering Hard to Turn

[mwnitz]

Hello everyone,

I had my lower sterndrive replaced last August by a local boat repair shop (a more man band). They also replaced all of the seals and bellows while it was there. Between the ridiculous rain we've had in upstate NY, and me being a work-a-holic, I haven't put the boat into the water until this week. I noticed that the steering wheel is at least twice as hard to turn as it used to, if not more. I don't want to bring it back to the shop. I called, they don't even remember me, and the boat will be out of the water for at least 2 weeks. So I've decided to tackle it myself. I also think it might have to do with age, and might just be a coincidence.

I have manual steering on my 2006 18' bowlder with a Mercruiser Alpha One Sten drive, 4 cylinder engine. I've seen some online info about greasing the steering cable close to the sterndrive. Des anyone have any wisdom on this particular problem?

Thanks.

-Mark

 

[zellerj]

On my 1988 4.3L the steering became stiff, and I easily fixed it. In my case the steering ram runs inside of a tube, and the ram can be removed by unscrewing a large (believe 1 inch) nut and perhaps remove a clevis pin (can't remember the details). The tube was packed with old grease that had dried out over time. Pulled out the steering cable end and flushed out the old grease with solvent, repacked with new grease, and all was fine.

To diagnose the issue, remove the steering ram from the Al tube, and see if the issue is with the steering wheel or the outdrive. Both should be able to move back and forth quite easily. If both move easily, then the issue could be old grease in the Aluminum tube.

 

[poconojoe]

Mine is a 2003 4.3L with power steering. The steering got so hard I had to fight it with two hands.
I found it was the cable from the helm to the engine bay.
Replaced the entire cable and all is well.

 

[QBhoy]

Hi. Check to see if you have a trim anode fin on the alpha one.

 

[mwnitz]

Hi. Check to see if you have a trim anode fin on the alpha one.

It came equipped with a trim anode fin, however the replacement kit I've been getting have only been a flat round plate with no fin. Why?

Note: the steering is hard to turn even at idle. I probably should have said that initially.

 

[poconojoe]

I went through this a few years ago.
I tried cleaning the old grease out, but ultimately it turned out to be my cable.

Disconnect the cable at the engine. Now see if the steering wheel is still hard to turn. If it is, then replace the cable. Not just the inner core, but the complete cable and outer sheathing.

Look along the outside of the cable sheathing for a part number. If you're lucky, like me, there will be numbers on it, otherwise you may have to pull it out and measure length, diameter, etc.

If you do have to replace the cable, don't just pull it out. Tie and tape the new one to it or tie and tape a strong string or wire to it. This way, when you pull out the old one, the new one will follow the correct path of the old one.