ANother power steering ?

[nikogto]

I have read alot of things online tonight. I have a 96 Larson with Mercruiser system (350 chevy motor). No power assist, or so it seems, the pump was dry when I purchased the boat a couple months back, filled it and checked for leaks, none found, as I cycled the steering wheel back and forth while filling up the pump, it jumped a couple times, took it out on the water and still tough. Previous boats with same motor combo I could use a finger to turn the wheel. I thought I had a bad pump, so I replaced it, filled and fired it up, still feels hard, question is, I've read alot on the cables freezing up in the rack, but those complaints usually say they can't turn the wheel. Anyone ever have a bad rack? Or can the cable be causing my issue?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: ANother power steering ?

Howdy,

Well, you may have either a steering cable or "rack" problem.

The only way to tell will be to disconnect the cable from the PS actuator and see how easy the rack and cable works.


Cables can get rusty inside I suppose but they're well sealed. My previous boat had the original cables in it and it was a 66 model!

You can buy cables right here on iBoats. http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Steering...2435103--**********.645936028--view_id.217122

If your power steering reservoir was empty, you have a problem(leak) there too. Use red fluid and it might be easier to find......you also probably have a power steering fluid cooler (water cooled and possibly freeze damaged.....) If you found no leaks, it's probably going out with the "wash"!!!

It's not a complicated system......but you usually can't rebuild the actuator. you must replace it. They're not all that expensive anyway....


Regards,


Rick