4.3 Merc w/ power steering. lots of play at low speed

[SCash]

I have a 19' sea ray with a 4.3 L Mercruiser (with power steering). When going idle speed, the steering has a lot of play in it....enough that you constantly have to turn the wheel left to right to maintain your general direction. The steering performs well at high speeds.

I have turned the outdrive back and for and when it moves, the wheel moves.

I am generally a pontoon guy and this is the first inboard ive owned. I have no experience in this area. Any ideas or suggestions? Where do I look?

Keep in mind that I might need instructions to find certain items on the boat.

Thanks friends

 

[sdoomaha]

Re: 4.3 Merc w/ power steering. lots of play at low speed

No expert, but I think you will find form those that are, it is normal. Everyone I know with I/Os and even some with outboards experience the same thing.

Good news is, nothing is wrong, bad news is you have to live with it and continue "sawing" the wheel.

 

[BF]

Re: 4.3 Merc w/ power steering. lots of play at low speed

ditto... sounds like it's not really steering slop, but just wandering that is normal when you have a single big prop... If it was slop, the steering would be wandering/loose also at planing speeds. I don't think boats with twin counter rotating engines do this at no-wake speeds (?), and I don't think single engine I/O's with counter rotating duoprop setups (like the bravo or volvo ones) do this either.... at least that's one of the things they advertise about them.

I have a 16' ski boat powered by a 150 hp outboard where it's noticable, but on my I/O bowrider, (heavier boat) the wandering at no-wake speeds seems more pronounced.

 

[Zeeter]

Re: 4.3 Merc w/ power steering. lots of play at low speed

Its called V Hull wander. Its normal. You are overcorrecting with the steering making it worse. Try leaving the steering wheel alone and only make a small adjustment when you really have to.

 

[maxxman04]

Re: 4.3 Merc w/ power steering. lots of play at low speed

Its called V Hull wander. Its normal. You are overcorrecting with the steering making it worse. Try leaving the steering wheel alone and only make a small adjustment when you really have to.

exactly. a small, minor touch does wonders to keep it straight. all v-hulls do this, just nature of design.

 

[ROBYABLIND]

Re: 4.3 Merc w/ power steering. lots of play at low speed

sorry,guys your not getting the magnitude of sloppines, it is hard to manuver at slow speeds- people think your loaded! inspect the valve that the large cable thru bolt connects- mine is loose - i FEEL your pain!!!

 

[Tvshooter]

Re: 4.3 Merc w/ power steering. lots of play at low speed

I am having the same problem, and apparently we have the same engine/outdrive. Alpha One, 4.3 V6, Maxum 21' cuddy.

The steering actuator is loose where the large bolt goes through it. At speed, the steering is fine and very solid. At idele, it wanders....you can set it and take your hand off the wheel, and it'll drift one way or another. Small corrections only move the boat one way or the other. It's really tough to load the boat, especially in a current.

My Alpha One drive will move a good inch or two, side to side....is that play normal? I have been told my steering is adjusted as much as possible. One mechanic said I'd need to replace the entire gimbal ring, another says it's just normal for this type boat.

At 15 rpms, the boat steers about perfect, anything under 1000 and it's wandering all over.