Steering Wheel not straight

[Jake007]

I recently had my power steering cylindar replaced and when I was out this last weekend I noticed that my steering wheel is at about the 2PM position when going straight. I don't believe it was like that before. It steers great, feels like a sports car again.

Q1. Could the turned wheel be related to the work performed replacing the power steering cylindar? If so, should they straighten it for free?
Q2. I also noticed that there is about 2" play in the steering wheel. Could this be related to the work performed? Is this easy to fix?

 

[Jake007]

Re: Steering Wheel not straight

bump

 

[HalfFish5087]

Re: Steering Wheel not straight

Jake,

If it was me I would ask them if they would repair it and state that it wasn't like that before. If that doesn't work you can remove the steering wheel by removing a cover plate and taking off the five or six screws, rotating it, and put the screws back. I'm not sure what besides air in the lines or something being loose that would cause the play. To remove air, make sure that the reservior is filled to its correct capacity and turn the steering wheel lock to lock (one end to another) multiple times. Hope this helps.

 

[Jake007]

Re: Steering Wheel not straight

OK, I will try the rotate the steering wheel back and forth to see if that helps.

Any other responses as to whether or not this is likely related to the repair performed?

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Steering Wheel not straight

If all else fails and you just want it over with...some steering wheels are splined. Pull it and shift it over a tooth or two.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Steering Wheel not straight

I'm sure that you are mostly concerned from a cosmetic standpoint, but there is no damage being done to the steering system. As others already said, you can just remove the steering screws and reposition. Mine has been at 3pm or so since the day I brought it home from the dealership.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Steering Wheel not straight

If all else fails and you just want it over with...some steering wheels are splined. Pull it and shift it over a tooth or two.

Is it centered to begin with?

If it takes 1-1/2 turns to the left to hit the stop; Is it the same number to the Right?

If the wheel is centered, then the motor is off.
Adjust the connection of the steering cable at the engine end.
Center the wheel and then center the motor to match.
This will need to be an On-Water adjustment.
It would be the last step with any steering cylinder replacement.

 

[Jake007]

Re: Steering Wheel not straight

Alright, I am getting the idea from most (not all) that it may or may not be from the steering cylindar replacement (although it was straight before the work). And that it is causing no harm to the boat (except my wife reminding me every trip). Also that it should be relatively easy to pull the wheel and reattach to straighten. I will take a close look this weekend but I think my boating may be delayed another week due to rain. Hopefully the weather man is wrong and I will get out on the water to enjoy.

Thanks for all the comments.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Steering Wheel not straight

most helms have a keyed connection... on those you can't just pull and turn the wheel and the adjustment will be at the engine


YES it is very likely from the installation of the cylinder and they should fix it BUT will likely never get it right so just do it yourself

 

[Outsider]

Re: Steering Wheel not straight

And that it is causing no harm to the boat (except my wife reminding me every trip).

Ask your wife if her car wheel has ever been straight? It might be worth speaking with the mechanic about the play, but you're urinating in the prevailing pressure differential if you're worried about alignment ...

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Steering Wheel not straight

It took me several trys to adjust mine and get it centered, but I on a slow pontoon and being able to crank it back to center after a turn helps