Steering Play

[mounty]

I have a 2006 SEA RAY 200 SELECT and would like some comments on my steering. To me it seems like a lot of play in the wheel before moving the outdrive. I'm new to boating and have had some people tell me it's normal and some tell me the rack and pinion need to be replaced. Please look at the attached video and give me your comments.

Thanks in advance

 

[Chris1956]

The video did not want to play.

Where is the play in the steering? The rack and pinon should have very little play. The cable can have some and the motor can have some. Overall, no more play than 1" in the steering wheel, I would think.

The cable is tightly bolted to the pinon?

 

[Scott Danforth]

there is always a bit of play at the helm, a bit at the tiller and every joint etc.

however if you are not on plane and you have wander, that is known as v-hull wander. it happens on all single drive/motor V-hull boat that is not on plane

 

[mounty]

not sure what's wrong with the video, it plays for me

There is about 3-4 inches of movement in the steering wheel where i cannot feel the cable moving. It seems to be play in the steering system maybe between the pinion and rack gears. .

 

[mounty]

there is always a bit of play at the helm, a bit at the tiller and every joint etc.

however if you are not on plane and you have wander, that is known as v-hull wander. it happens on all single drive/motor V-hull boat that is not on plane

but would you consider 3-4 inches of play "a bit of play"?

 

[Scott Danforth]

depends where its coming from and how you are measuring it

 

[mounty]

depends where its coming from and how you are measuring it

will the video play for you?

 

[Scott Danforth]

will the video play for you?

NO, it will not

 

[mounty]

NO, it will not

i went back and made the video public, let me know if you now can see it

Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

now go back and take a video of the important bits....... the steering actuator, linkage, tiller arm, etc.

some of that slop will be at the helm
some of that slop will be at the pin to the actuator
some of that slop will be your actuator
some of that slop will be the linkage to the tiller arm.

 

[Chris1956]

OK Video plays now. That is excessive play, IMO. You need to find out where play originates, as Scott has counseled.

Make sure cable is firmly attached to rack. Make sure rack is solidly bolted to helm.

Make sure steering cable nut in bilge is tight. Look for play in steering rod and power steering valve in bilge.

 

[mounty]

thanks everyone for their feedback

 

[Bondo]

now go back and take a video of the important bits....... the steering actuator, linkage, tiller arm, etc.

some of that slop will be at the helm
some of that slop will be at the pin to the actuator
some of that slop will be your actuator
some of that slop will be the linkage to the tiller arm.

Ayuh,...... 'n some of the slop is built into the P/S actuator, til ya start the motor,....