Steering

[egldvrbags]

1995 Bayliner 2050LS
Engine model: MCM 4.3l lx
Engine sn: 0F436164

I've owned this boat for 7 years. The steering wheel has been off about 1/4 turn since I've owned it...ie, when going straight, the wheel is turned about 1/4turn to the right. It doesn't affect anything, but it's just one of those things that bugs me...

I popped the cover off the steering wheel, removed the retaining nut, but can't get the wheel off. It's all plastic so I'm afraid it will break if I really pry it.

Do I need to rig some sort of gear puller or is there an easier way? If the gear puller grabs on the backside of the steering wheel, it will sure "bugger" it up since it's plastic.

Pix attached.





Thanks!

Bags

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Steering

most wheels are held in place by a wooddruff key and are not movable for adjusting. do you have reg steering or power steering?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Steering

You could try a steering wheel puller. Borrow one from Autozone (free).

 

[egldvrbags]

Re: Steering

most wheels are held in place by a wooddruff key and are not movable for adjusting. do you have reg steering or power steering?

Power steering.

The shaft has teeth on it and it appears it should come off then put back on centered.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Steering

if you have a rack and pinion system do this: when out in the water mark the wheel and helm when the boat is going straight.
When you get home you now know exactly where straight is. put it in this position. Pull the rack off the pinion, straighten the wheel and replace the rack.
If you have rotary you will have to pull the cable and guess how far to turn the wheel and which direction (trial and error).

 

[1979 Quartermasters]

Re: Steering

Under your dash there should be a bar about a foot long attached to the end of your steering wheel. Sorry I don't know the propper names. You will find four bolts holding it to your wheel. Remove the four bolts, lift the bar, straighten the wheel and replace the bar. I'm assuming you have the single, no feed back steering cable (mine was Teleflex). That should let you get some sleep. Let us know how you make out.

Ken

Posted at the same time as ^^. He know the proper names.lol

 

[AviatorJim]

Re: Steering

You can try tapping the shaft (with the nut threaded on loosely), use penetrating oil. If you bust the wheel, just replace it.
--Jim

 

[egldvrbags]

Re: Steering

Under your dash there should be a bar about a foot long attached to the end of your steering wheel. Sorry I don't know the propper names. You will find four bolts holding it to your wheel. Remove the four bolts, lift the bar, straighten the wheel and replace the bar. I'. assuming you have the single, no feed back steering cable (mine was Teleflex). That should let you get some sleep. Let us know how you make out.

Ken

Posted at the same time as ^^. He know the proper names.lol

Ken,
Thanks! I know mine is a Teleflex system. My boat is at the lake and I'm not I'll have a look next weekend and let you know what I find. I have "marked" how much I need to adjust it.

Bags

 

[egldvrbags]

Re: Steering

You can try tapping the shaft (with the nut threaded on loosely), use penetrating oil. If you bust the wheel, just replace it.
--Jim

Thanks Jim,
I"ve thought about your suggestion before but won't get a chance to have a look until next weekend.

Bags

 

[1979 Quartermasters]

Re: Steering

Under your dash there should be a bar about a foot long attached to the end of your steering wheel. l

Here is a picture of my "foot long bar" or rack laying on the floor. My cable seized up and I had to replace the whole thing.......

Ken

 

[Augoose]

Re: Steering

I don't think a steering wheel puller will work on that setup without destroying your existing steering wheel. Hard to tell if there is a woodruff key setup inside that plastic housing.

I would try some of the other suggestions to reset the position without removing the wheel, or live with it. If you ever want to replace the wheel then tear into it!

 

[egldvrbags]

Re: Steering

View attachment 151288

Here is a picture of my "foot long bar" or rack laying on the floor. My cable seized up and I had to replace the whole thing.......

Ken

Ken,
Thanks for the picture. I'll have a look this coming weekend and see what I've got.

Bags

 

[egldvrbags]

Re: Steering

I don't think a steering wheel puller will work on that setup without destroying your existing steering wheel. Hard to tell if there is a woodruff key setup inside that plastic housing.

I would try some of the other suggestions to reset the position without removing the wheel, or live with it. If you ever want to replace the wheel then tear into it!

This was my thought as well. I had the retaining nut off but don't know if it has a woodruff key. But, I was thinking if I used a puller it would crack the plastic wheel.....it doesn't have the threaded holes that you can attach the puller like a car steering wheel.

Bags

 

[Augoose]

Re: Steering

This was my thought as well. I had the retaining nut off but don't know if it has a woodruff key. But, I was thinking if I used a puller it would crack the plastic wheel.....it doesn't have the threaded holes that you can attach the puller like a car steering wheel.

Bags

Yup, I know- had a similar issue with one of my steering wheels and I destroyed it using a puller but it HAD to come off.... I would imagine there is a woodruff key and the hub is just frozen to the tapered shaft.

I replaced my own steering wheel not three weeks ago on a 1999 model boat and I tried to remove it this weekend again to adjust it too because it just wasn't quite centered- now it won't budge despite whacking it with a mallot- It doesn't take long for it to set like concrete.

Have you tried some of the other suggestions? If not those, maybe some penetrating oil? I would recommend heat but there is no way to isolate the heat without melting the steering wheel....

 

[SteveMcD]

Re: Steering

That isn't adjustable at the tiller?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Steering

Normal steering wheels only fit one way. So, removing the steering wheel is not going to solve your issue. As was said, mark the steering wheel with the boat moving straight. Now remove the 4 bolts holding the rack to the pinon (located under the dashboard) and then straighten the steering wheel and rebolt the rack....

 

[egldvrbags]

Re: Steering

Normal steering wheels only fit one way. So, removing the steering wheel is not going to solve your issue. As was said, mark the steering wheel with the boat moving straight. Now remove the 4 bolts holding the rack to the pinon (located under the dashboard) and then straighten the steering wheel and rebolt the rack....

This sounds like the best plan. I'll do it this weekend and post the results. The boat is at the lake and I'm not

Bags

 

[egldvrbags]

Re: Steering

All,
Thanks for the great advice. Mine has a system like Ken described. I loosened up the 4 bolts just enough to lift the rack, straighten the wheel, then tightened the bolts. Total time about 5 mins. The key was leaving the nuts on the bolts so I didn't have to contort myself to get the nuts back on.

Thanks again, everyone.

Bags