Mercruiser stiff steering and wandering

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surfsidewood

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Dec 4, 2009
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Hi I have a 88 Sea Ray with a 4.3 liter V6 Mercruiser and Alpha 1 Outdrive. The steering is really stiff all the way through the entire rotation. Feels the same if the engine is running or not. Power steering pump is full, belt is tight, and it's rack and pinion at the helm. My first thought would be the power steering pump, but don't want to go changing it without knowing for sure. Been a car guy my whole life but this is my first boat. Also while in the water at idle speed the boat is almost immpossible to keep straight. It wanders back and forth with the slightest of movement with the wheel. Makes docking it a bit of a pain, and the hard steering gives your arms a heck of a workout. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
 
QC

QC

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Re: Mercruiser stiff steering and wandering

surfsidewood said:
at idle speed the boat is almost immpossible to keep straight. It wanders back and forth with the slightest of movement with the wheel.
Click to expand...
Very common and normal . . . especially with V-hull I/Os. The only real fix is trim tabs in the full down position. This does make a difference. The only other solution is lots of teeny tiny helm adjustments and anticipation of her coming back around late after each one of those adjustments. Do a search for "wander" in the boat section and here. LOTS of threads and info.

BTW, welcome aboard!! Some with more experience on the power steering system will chime in. Also, check the Adults Only sticky ^^^^^ for your manual and troubleshooting the power steering system. Good luck!
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: Mercruiser stiff steering and wandering

Ayuh,... The most common place to look for steering Bind, is where the end of the cable goes through the aluminum tube on the transom,...
It gets corroded, Inside...
The next common is the steering Cable itself....
If it Is the cable, it's a Non-servicable part,+ Must be Replaced...
And,...
Like QC says,.... V-hull wander is just the way it is....Less steering input usually makes it tolerable..
 
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surfsidewood

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Re: Mercruiser stiff steering and wandering

Thanks for the replies. I guess I will start by disconnecting the steering cable and checking if it still binds and if it does I'll work my way back to the helm. But if I take the steering cable off and there is no bind, does that mean my power steering pump is bad or is there something else that can cause it?

It's good to know that the wandering is normal. I have a freind who almost died due to a steering issue on the same type boat. It pull hard to the side at full speed, ripped the wheel out of his hand, threw him through the windshield (ripped the windshield and frame clean off the boat), and basically ripped his arm apart from the bicep down. He's lucky he's alive although his arm is unusable and minus 2 fingers (20 surgeries later). So I just want to make sure I have it right.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: Mercruiser stiff steering and wandering

or is there something else that can cause it?
Click to expand...

Ayuh,... Lotsa things,.... power actuator, pivot points lackin' Grease, helm, cable, pump, probably More....
Corrosion in the Tube is the Most likely,... Bad cable, + helm is second...

Sorry to here about your Bud,... He was runnin' a boat with No P/Steering,+ with a Bad prop set up...
 
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surfsidewood

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Re: Mercruiser stiff steering and wandering

OK Thanks alot for the info. It's been rainin here all day, but I will check it out tomorrow and let you know how it goes. Thanks again.
 
zbnutcase

zbnutcase

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Re: Mercruiser stiff steering and wandering

A worn gimbal ring can cause wandering too. 'nutcase
 
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stonyloam

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Re: Mercruiser stiff steering and wandering

zbnutcase said:
A worn gimbal ring can cause wandering too. 'nutcase
Click to expand...

So can loose gimbal ring clamping screws on the Alpha I. Retorque to 55 ft.lb. Should be done every year as part of the routine maintenance. It helped considerably with mine.
 
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surfsidewood

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Re: Mercruiser stiff steering and wandering

Well I narrowed it down to the cable. I unhooked the cable from the outdrive, tried to turn the wheel, and it felt exactly the same. Outdrive moved back and forth with no problem moving it by hand. Then I took off the rack from the helm. The helm and steering wheel spun freely, so I guess it's gotta be the cable. Do they make a cable with a grease fitting that you could lubricate from time to time? It seems rediculous to sell a cable for $120 and not be able to do something to help it last. Does anyone know which length cable I will need? I would like to leave the old on in until the new one gets here. It's for a 88- 20' sea ray seville. I'm sure I can guesstimate it based on some quick measurements, but I just want to make sure I get the right one.

I really do appreciate all the help, and I will repost when I get the new cable in.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: Mercruiser stiff steering and wandering

Ayuh,... I mentioned that up in post #3 BD,.... Guess he didn't check that...

The Length of the cable is usually stamped into the casing, within the 1st few feet of either end....

With a 21 Year service life, I don't see why your complainin',....
Btw,...
Best bet is to swap the Complete Helm,+ cable assembley,.... Otherwise the Helm bushings will be your Next problem...
With the pricing structure, the helm is almost free anyways...
 
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surfsidewood

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Dec 4, 2009
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Re: Mercruiser stiff steering and wandering

Bt Doctur said:
It may still be tight in the guide tube.Check that first
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Techbk/97/97hs5.pdf
page 5-2
Click to expand...

I took the cable completely out of the tube and checked it and it was still binding the same. It seems like it is actually inside the rubber coating of the cable itself.

I guess your right Bond-o about rthe 21 year service life. Thats a pretty long time.
 
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surfsidewood

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Dec 4, 2009
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Re: Mercruiser stiff steering and wandering

Just an update in case anyone is having the same problem. It was the steering cable. I bought the new cable and helm that came together in a kit. simple to install and boat turns like a Cadillac now. No problems at all.

Thanks for all the help.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: Mercruiser stiff steering and wandering

Ayuh,... Thanks of the Update,... It's nice when there's closure in these threads...
 
J

Jay D's Ray

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May 27, 2009
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Re: Mercruiser stiff steering and wandering

Surfside,
Hey, I am having the same problem. What was the part #' that you bought or was it a few different part #'s?
 
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