help with stiff power steering

[lyn battles]

I recently bought a 1985 vip boat with a inboard 350 it has a omc cobra drive. but the steering is very stiff. I have checked the p.s pump and it has a lot of pressure. I disconnected, the steering linkage from the aluminum tube and it is still very stiff both hands to turn te wheel there is no visible rust on cable. is there anything else I can do or just have to buy another cable. thank you

 

[Don S]

Re: help with stiff power steering

Disconnect the steering cable from the steering cylinder at the outdrive. Then see if the steering wheel will turn free. If it does, extend the cable nut away from the steering cylinder and see if you can move the drive back and forth easily. If you can't the Stainless steel cable end is probably corroded tightly in the aluminum tube of the steering cylinder. You will have to remove the cable from the tube, clean all the corrosion out then lubing up the cable end and reinstalling.

 

[lyn battles]

Re: help with stiff power steering

I have tried to disconnect from the cylinder I even removed the aluminum tube.it was pretty clean.but with the tube removed and the cable disconnected it was still really stiff. I read on another post that someone said there is a setscrew under the steering column that adjusts the steerin tension.is there anything to that I can't find a setscrew. is there anything else to try. or is the cable shot.it looks really good but never know.thank you for your help

 

[Don S]

Re: help with stiff power steering

Not all of them had the tension screw. If the cable is stiff even when unhooked, you just need a new steering system. You can get just a new cable as long as you can match the part number exactly. If you can't, get the complete helm kit. You never will a matching cable for most of them anyway.