power steering stiff

[williemon]

Friends boat is a 06 tahoe v6 mercruiser alpha one gen 2. The steering has gotten very stiff. Ive read a lot of threads about this but most of them end without an update on the actual fix.

Everything looks good, power steering pump, cable and the like. I disconnected the steering cable nut and removed the pin connecting the cable to the power actuator. The cable moves freely and easy now. I have read many others that had free cables like this, only to find after replacing the pump and actuator, that their steering is still stiff. Then I read about the sleeve that the steering cable rod slides inside of and that it should move as well since it works part of the actuator.

Im wondering if this works so much as a matched system that a slight bit of drag on the cable, (not really noticeable when the cable is disconnected) and then a slight bit of drag on the sleeve it goes through, (since it should move too) will cause a multiplied effect and make the steering noticeably stiff. Maybe if this is the case, the power steering is not being brought into full assistance.

Does anyone have any advice for properly troubleshooting and fixing this issue?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... Pull the cable outa the tube at the transom, 'n clean, then grease the cable end, 'n inside the tube,....

Often, corrosion happens inside the tube,.....

Does the drive move easily, side to side, with the cable disconnected,...??

 

[StingrayMike]

I am in the process of fixing my stiff steering issue as well.
disconnected the tiller arm, steering wheel was smooth as butter, but very difficult to move out drive. Removed the outdrive and found the steering pins were gummed up. Also my power steering pump was whining abit, struggleing to move the outdrive. Everything on the P.S. side looks good.
I bought new orings and sleeves. Havent installed them yet, repainting the outdrive and transom assy.
but that seems to be my issue.
yeah, I know. Another stiff steering post with no results
Give me a break, its hard to prep an outdrive for new paint