Re: johnson factory power steering problems
I have a 1987 225 johnson with the same exact factory system thats all attached to the engine. It's about the same concept as the power steering on a car. We got a belt driven pump, a high pressure and return hoses attached to the steering bracket. Mine was just a bit hard to steer with and harder when turning the wheel from port to center at full throttle. I suggest you get the original factory manual for this engine so you can diagnose and correct the problem. Theres a filter under the pump that could be clogged, or the pump itself is not working properly, or you got dirty or the wrong type of oil in it. Connect the hoses to the pump and disconnect the high pressure one from the steering rack and check to see if you got pressure(the engine must be running). Keep checking your hoses and see if you find any obstruction on the way. Also, disconnect all the hoses and linkages and set the engine free. Move the engine by hand to make sure it moves side to side without any effort. while everything is disconnected, check your steering cable to see if it runs freely without effort. Connect the steering cable back to the engine steering bracket and do the same. Finally, connect the linkage to the power steering rack behind the engine and again check for binding, the steering then should be a bit hard. Take out the pump, filters and hoses and clean everything up good, also the steering rack where the hoses attach to. Put it all together, fill up with good oil. Turn the engine on and turn the wheel side to side a couple of times. You can try to bleed by loosening a hose fitting a bit while the engine is turned to one side, then the other until you feel theres no air coming out. If it still hard as hell, you may want to take it to a good mechanic to get check or if you got the cash, scrap it all together and install an aftermarket system. You do want to be caught with a stuck steering in a dangerous situation. Good luck
