Power steering troubleshooting

[andrewterri]

Boat is a 2014 Monterey 196ms with a 4.3 MPI ECT. I have been trying to diagnose a hard steering issue. I do not have the manual as mercruiser somehow only gave the original owner a manufacture installation cd. When I called Mercury to ask about this they said they will mail me a owners manual since the boat did not come with one and that cd should not have been given to the owner. I also ordered a shop manual from mercury for the engine and drive. Problem is I'm trying to figure out why the steering is so hard without having a reference to how it is set up. Looks just like the old 3.0 we had and trying to use that as a starting point for troubleshooting. while at the lake on the maiden voyage, the steering acts like there is very little assistance from the power steering pump. when I run at speed it feels a little bit easier. My thought is the pump and higher rpm is spinning the pump faster which is increasing pressure. While it appears easy to get a new pump and just install it into the reservoir I do not want to start guessing as this can get very expensive and time consuming. Does anyone know how to test the pump to see if it is the pump or steering cable? Are there lube points for the steering assembly that might account for my problem? I have looked and everything is covered with wiring harnesses and hoses that I can not see anything obvious. As always, that you guys for taking your time to help me.

 

[Scott Danforth]

first, do you have fluid in the system?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... At the transom, disconnect the end of the steerin' cable from the P/S actuator, 'n see whether it's the cable or not,....
If there's still resistance, pull the big nut, 'n slide the cable end outa the tube it mounts in, 'n clean the inside of the tube, slather some grease into it,....
Is there resistance in the cable, with it completely removed from the actuator,..??
If so, replace the cable, it's a Non-serviceable unit,....

Is the pump's tank full,..??
Is the fluid clean,..?? no water milkiness,..??

 

[andrewterri]

The tank is full with clean fluid. No sign of water. Do I need to have the motor running to do this? Wont the actuator have resistance without the assistance of the pressurized fluid with the engine off and lines disconnected?

 

[Bondo]

The tank is full with clean fluid. No sign of water. Do I need to have the motor running to do this? Wont the actuator have resistance without the assistance of the pressurized fluid with the engine off and lines disconnected?

No,.... Don't disconnect the hyd. lines,....
'n No,.... Don't start the motor,.....

Yer checkin' whether it's the Steerin' Cable, that's hooked to the steerin' wheel, is bindin' up, or worn out......

While yer back there, you'll see where the Actuator is attached to the tiller arm of the outdrive,.....
You can pull that clevis pin, to see if the Drive is bindin' on it's swivel pins too,.....

My point is, yer problem is probably Not hydraulic,....

 

[andrewterri]

I finally got time off work and to where I was able to get the drive down and start the process. I am about to unhook the clevis pin and check the outdrive movement. Is there any zerk fitting for grease back there? I can not find one and the manual I found online is for the earlier alpha 1 gen 2. If the outdrive movement is good, when I take the large nut off the steering cable that is attached to the actuator is there any springs or lines that comes out? It is very tight and can not get a good view. On this model there is a molded step on the starboard side where the sun pad and bench seat is located on other models. I am wedging my body between the engine and molded fiberglass for the step to get to where I can reach the actuator so any surprises when I disconnect the steering nut would be nice to know about.