power steering hard to turn

[klawton55]

I am helping my father with his pontoon boat. It is a 06 Avalon 27' with a 5.7 mercruiser and alpha 1 gen 2. The problem is that the first time that we took it out it was so hard to steer that it took both hands. The power steering system is electronic and does not use a engine pump. We have bleed the system and it is better but still hard, and you can hear the pump running even after you stop turning it (not sure if it made the noise last year) I have dealt with elctronic steering in cars but they are full electric with no hydraulic fluid, this has an electric pump and hydraulic fluid. any help would be great.

 

[alldodge]

Re: power steering hard to turn

Try this http://www.seastarsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/298403A.pdf

 

[klawton55]

Re: power steering hard to turn

Thanks for the manual. We did those bleeding instructions and it does seem better. but now the pump runs constantly and I dont think that it was that way last year. Any ideas on that?

 

[achris]

Re: power steering hard to turn

Had a look at the manual... Check to make sure you have the three lines from the helm pump to the PA pump set up and connected correctly. The symptom is not unlike having the 'compensation' line connected to one of the pump lines... ('H1' or 'H2)

 

[klawton55]

Re: power steering hard to turn

Thanks acrhis. I will check them tomorrow, but they have not been disconnected from last year when it worked fine.

 

[achris]

Re: power steering hard to turn

Thanks acrhis. I will check them tomorrow, but they have not been disconnected from last year when it worked fine.

So, what's been changed since last year? It could also be a lack of use, and the steering helm pump has seized.... Disconnected the hoses at the PA pump and link them together (the ones that go to the helm pump). Now see if the steering is still tight...

Chris.....

 

[klawton55]

Re: power steering hard to turn

There is nothing that is different we didnt disconnect anything just winterized and dewinterized. there steering seems to be better than it was since we bleed it the second time. But the pump in the engine bay runs when the key is turned on.

 

[achris]

Re: power steering hard to turn

I don't know specifically how that system works, but from the drawings in the manual that AllDodge posted, it looks like the helm pump is just providing a 'drive' signal (all be it hydraulically) to the PA pump. They should be very little load on the helm pump. When the power is off how hard is the steering to turn? I would also disconnect (and plug) the H1 and H2 lines at the PA and see if the pump still runs.

As is often the case with many 'winterised'/stored items, the lack of use can cause things to bind up, internally...

I have a saying.... It's not using a boat that damages it, it's not using it...

Chris....

 

[klawton55]

Re: power steering hard to turn

I wanted to post what I found the problem was.

Thanks to another post here on iboats I found a contact info of a gentleman that works for for Teleflex. I email Marc and he emailed me back within the hour and asked me to check the coupler from the electric motor to the valve body. He even sent along instructions to remove. And sure enough the coupler, this 50 cent piece of plastic, was stripped on the valve side.

After searching for this part I emailed Marc again and asked where I could purchase this piece, he replied and said he would send me one and another as a spare (obviously they have had some issues with this). I asked if I could pay for overnight shipping since my parents were leaving on vacation in two days. He said he would get it right out and that he would send a couple to where they were vacationing. The part came before the before they left for vacation and it worked great.

So a big thanks to Marc from Teleflex for the quick response and all the help. If anyone needs to contact someone from Teleflex I recommend Marc at Marc.adams@seastarsolutions.com


And a big thanks to iboats and all the people on here, without you and all the posts I wouldn't have be enable to fix it. THANKS!