Power Steering onTwin 4.3LX (1989)

[HPLou]

Good day,
I bought a used boat yearly this season, 1989 30ft with 2 - 4.3LX & Alpha Ones
Both Props are turning Starboard Side. I only have one Steering Belt installed On the Port Side Engine.
The Fluid Level is showing Full.
The Starboard Engine has a Power Steering Pump installed but no Belt.
I find using the Steering Wheel to be hard to turn on both sides.
My questions are?
Is it normal to have ONLY One belt on the Port Side Engine?
If Normal, Would it be easier to Stear if the Power Steering Belt would be installed on the Starboard Engine?
Thanks.

 

[Volphin]

Re: Power Steering onTwin 4.3LX (1989)

Pretty sure you should be running belts on both pumps. Why would there be a PS pump if it was not to be used? Install one and see if that helps a bit. Be sure to check the fluid levels in each pump.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Power Steering onTwin 4.3LX (1989)

Good day,
I bought a used boat yearly this season, 1989 30ft with 2 - 4.3LX & Alpha Ones
Both Props are turning Starboard Side. I only have one Steering Belt installed On the Port Side Engine.
The Fluid Level is showing Full.
The Starboard Engine has a Power Steering Pump installed but no Belt.
I find using the Steering Wheel to be hard to turn on both sides.
My questions are?
Is it normal to have ONLY One belt on the Port Side Engine?
If Normal, Would it be easier to Stear if the Power Steering Belt would be installed on the Starboard Engine?
Thanks.

Ayuh,.... That's Normal,.... There's only 1 P/S unit in use, as that's all it takes,...

If yer steerin' is hard to turn, odds are it's something bindin' up, Other than the P/S system,...
More than likely, it's the end of the cable, corroded inside the aluminum mountin' tube at the transom,...

 

[HPLou]

Re: Power Steering onTwin 4.3LX (1989)

Thanks Bondo
If a Corroded Cable is the problem, Can I try installing the belt on the Starboard Steering Pump with out replacing the Port Power Steering Cable?
Or both Engines utilizes the same Power Steering Cable and I must replace it.
How easy it is to replace?
Any Installation Guide available?
Again, Thanks Bondo

 

[Bondo]

Re: Power Steering onTwin 4.3LX (1989)

Thanks Bondo
If a Corroded Cable is the problem, Can I try installing the belt on the Starboard Steering Pump with out replacing the Port Power Steering Cable?
Or both Engines utilizes the same Power Steering Cable and I must replace it.
How easy it is to replace?
Any Installation Guide available?
Again, Thanks Bondo

Ayuh,.... There's only 1 steerin' cable, from the helm to the transom,....
From there, a tie-bar ties the 2 drives together,....

While yer in there diggin',...
Any, 'n All points of movement are Suspect to be bindin', causin' yer issue,...

Odds are the unused P/S pump is plumbed to Nothin', so hookin' a belt on it will do,... Nothin',...

 

[achris]

Re: Power Steering onTwin 4.3LX (1989)

Thanks Bondo
If a Corroded Cable is the problem, Can I try installing the belt on the Starboard Steering Pump with out replacing the Port Power Steering Cable?
Or both Engines utilizes the same Power Steering Cable and I must replace it.
How easy it is to replace?
Any Installation Guide available?
Again, Thanks Bondo

Replacement depends entirely on the design of the boat, not the engine.

 

[HPLou]

Re: Power Steering onTwin 4.3LX (1989)

Thanks Guys for your Replys
I will see if I can find the binding cable, if this is the case. Both Stearndrives are removed.
I received in the past a Link from Don (Manual #6 Drives R-A1 83-90.pdf) I've Downloaded the manual.
Will I find details on How To? in that Manual for my Cable Replacement?