OMC tru-course steering....

[Manipulator]

When I took my drive off I marked my steering gears on the back or the IM and the upper. After putting the drive back on, I noticed that when I turn all the way to the right, the drive goes all the way to the bumper. When I turn all the way to the left, the drive does not go all the way to the bumper. Its about 3/4 inch from the bumper. Should I be concerned? I guess I can turn tighter to the right than to the left. I think when the drive came off before I owned the boat, the mechanic didn't mark the gears and just threw the drive back on. I never noticed this until now. Is there a way to find true center on the steering wheel and then realign the gears? Or can I do this by messing with the rack?

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: OMC tru-course steering....

Sounds like you are at the end of the cable going the one way.
To center:
With the drive off, hop in the boat and count steering wheel turns lock to lock, then split the difference and center it*. Then install the drive straight.

*If you are fussy about the pointer being accurate, you can turn the wheel a bit until it points "up" befor einstalling the drive straight. If it's not even close, you'll have to undo the drum (just remove the bolt- but be careful not to overtighten when you reinstall it, the bolt threads into aluminum) from the helm and spin the wheel to the right area. I've never seen anyone pay any attention to that pointer though....

 

[Manipulator]

Re: OMC tru-course steering....

I guess there are no marks on the back of the wheel hub? Only off 3/4 inch, any adjustment to the rack to solve this? Dammit, I don't want to take this drive off again, remember the trunion pivot cap bolt holes have heli coils in them. With my luck they will probably strip. But then again, this bugs me and I will probably do it.