Mercruiser 4.3 Steering

[Maverick7]

Iv noticed my steering has become more and more stiff while out on the lake. After doing some research and reading, Iv decided to order a new steering cable.
I removed the old one to properly measure it. After I got done and was cleaning up, I noticed that my drive was turned to one side so I thought I would just push it to the center. However, I can’t move the drive at all. It’s almost like it’s locked in place. Is this normal?? Keep in mind the steering cable is removed, so there’s nothing going through the actuator.

On a similar note, Iv noticed before that when I get off the lake and get the boat trailered, sometimes the drive isn’t centered so I will push it to center. What’s funny is the drive will move one direction, but I can’t move it the other direction. If I push the drive, by hand, all the way to the left side, I can’t pull/push it back the other direction. I have to get in the boat and use the steering wheel.

Just wondering if any of this is normal.

Thanks.

 

[zellerj]

There is a tube that the steering ram runs in that can get caked with old grease. I would clean up the old grease with kerosene and put in some new grease that is more fluid. I bet you have old grease that has solidified in this tube. It is worth a check to see if that is your problem.

 

[Maverick7]

There is a tube that the steering ram runs in that can get caked with old grease. I would clean up the old grease with kerosene and put in some new grease that is more fluid. I bet you have old grease that has solidified in this tube. It is worth a check to see if that is your problem.

I assume by steering ram you mean the ram at the end of the cable, that runs into the actuator and out the other side then pins to the steering arm. If so.....How would that have any effect on moving the drive if there is no steering ram in the tube? Like I said, it’s almost as if the drive locks into a certain position. And the only way to unlock it is by moving the steering wheel. However in this case, moving the steering wheel does nothing because the rack and cable are removed.

 

[Rick Stephens]

The power steering actuator should resist against the drive moving. That's why it doesn't turn the boat from torque like the manual steer models do.