Alpha1- gen2 drive, hard steering

[Sparks27]

1997 merc stern drive 4.3 v-6 Regal 18'. I have hard steering to right or left.
I feel the steering is two handed mostly to drive, I followed most of the initial troubleshooting step, first removed the two pins for steering cable and outdrive connection. turn steering wheel right and left and very smooth easy to turn. Now I swing the outdrive bar from inside the engine compartment and it is smooth,
but does require a little effort to move Right to left, it feels heavy and you can hear the rubber bellows moving around inside.
Not sure what else to check, it seems with the power steering it should be easier to turn? Fluid is clean and up to level, no leaks I can see.
Thanks for any responses, Sportz

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Pull the aft end of the cable outa the aluminum support tube, clean inside the tube, grease it, 'n put it back together, then try it,...

 

[Sparks27]

I tested the steering cable it is real smooth, right to left with it disconnected from outdrive.
I just checked the steering cooler ( bypass with tubing) and it is good with no obstructions, didn't improve steering.
I did notice the fluid is not real clean looking wonder if that would make a difference, fluid level is good
Seems the steering should be a little easier to turn with power steering?
Thanks for the reply, Sparks

 

[Grub54891]

The cooler should not have anything to do with it. You could change the fluid, but my initial guess is what Bondo posted, and possibly a bad ps pump.

 

[Sparks27]

Okay, so I drained the fluid completely out of pump and hoses and filled with new fluid, rotated wheel left to right a few times,
I could feel the difference before I started the engine, let it run for a few mins and it's so much easier than before.
Lesson is, start with clean fluid it makes a difference. Thanks for the help

 

[Grub54891]

Okay, so I drained the fluid completely out of pump and hoses and filled with new fluid, rotated wheel left to right a few times,
I could feel the difference before I started the engine, let it run for a few mins and it's so much easier than before.
Lesson is, start with clean fluid it makes a difference. Thanks for the help

Seen it happen before, mostly with rack and pinion steering, they get dirty and hard to steer, a change of fluid helps. Maby not the perfect cure, It could be covering up a bigger issue down the road, but I've driven cars for another 5 years after the change, and never had an issue.