Oil leak and sloppy steering.

[92rslt1]

I have a 88 454 mercruiser with a bravo 1. I'm trying to find out two things.

Is there a common place the steering system can leak, there's a mechanism behind the motor mounted to the transom that appears to be leaking, but in not sure where

Also, my steering wheel has a lot of neutral slop. The wheel has free play between left and right and it feels like it might be excessive is there any way to adjust it out?

 

[92rslt1]

Re: Oil leak and sloppy steering.

heres where the oil is leaking

 

[Levinz11]

Re: Oil leak and sloppy steering.

My first plan of action would be to clean that area really well, top up the power steering fluid and look to see where it's leaking from.

 

[92rslt1]

Re: Oil leak and sloppy steering.

Yea, last year I chased this for a while, problem is it runs all over everything. Its almost like its the shaft that comes out of it, but the unit looks brand new. I thought about scrubbing all the oil off and using baby powder all over the unit to see what turns oily first.

I wanted to paint my bilge are, but not until I get the Exon Valdez to stop leaking. I hate leaking boats.

 

[92rslt1]

Re: Oil leak and sloppy steering.

Here is the steering play.. I think its the rack behind the dash. Is there anyway to tighten it? Its annoying going down the canal and playing ping pong with the steering.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Oil leak and sloppy steering.

Here is the steering play.. I think its the rack behind the dash. Is there anyway to tighten it? Its annoying going down the canal and playing ping pong with the steering.

Ayuh,... That don't look like very much play, at All....
'n Nope, No adjustments in the helm to fix it anyways...

Ya gotta isolate it, with someone holdin' the drive, 'n someone else shakin' the wheel, while you Look for Exactly where the slop is, helm, transom, or drive...

For the oil leak, clean it up, 'n run it...

The freshest oil, Highest Up, is where it's Leakin'...

 

[92rslt1]

Re: Oil leak and sloppy steering.

The play is isolated to directly behind the steering wheel. The cables aren't moving just the steering wheel.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Oil leak and sloppy steering.

The play is isolated to directly behind the steering wheel. The cables aren't moving just the steering wheel.

Ayuh,... that still don't seem too bad....

Boats, V-hulls especially, by nature tend to wander at idle speeds,...
Leavin' the wheel alone, it'll usually correct itself...
Try usin' Less operator input...
'n, on another note,...
Bravos tend to have the top link at the transom loosen,...
Tightenin' the top clampin' bolt is annual maintenance...