stiff steering

[natsgrampy]

I just bought a 1989 sea ray 20 ft closed bow with a 3.0L I/O. I have found the steering to be very stiff/sticky while underway. It does have power steering and I added fluid as this was down slightly. I noticed when turning the steering wheel there is alot of "creaking" noise coming from what appears to be cables inside the side of the cabin. It has a Teleflex rack and pinion system. I am a virgin boater and not sure where to start. I purchased a mercruiser stern drive repair manual, but don't find anything about a telefex rack and pinion system.

What should I be checking to find the solution.

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: stiff steering

I checked in the back of the motor. I have found the actuator valve. There is a grease fitting way towards the back, can't reach it with my grease gun, gonna get a smaller one. There also appears to be another place for some type of fluid. This is a small red plastic cap that when removed looks like a small reservoir for a fluid. Is there a fluid which needs to be added to keep things lubed?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: stiff steering

If the steering is stiff with the motor off, it is likely the cable is binding. Most of the time it binds where the stainless steering cable end goes thru the aluminum tube attached to the transom shield. Try turning the wheel to expose the most cable and wipe it clean and relube it with marine grease or better yet Special lube 101 from Quicksilver.

You may need to use some solvent to clean the steering cable end.

 

[dsiekman]

Re: stiff steering

My first boat had a similar issue. I assumed that was the way it was supposed to be. By the end of the first season I realized that I had actually bent the steering wheel trying to get the boat into the slip. I replaced the cable the next spring and was able to turn the wheel with two fingers instead of two hands...I believe one of the frequent posters on this site has the following in his signature line, "just because you found it that way doesn't mean it is supposed to be that way". Wise, very wise...

 

[natsgrampy]

Re: stiff steering

My first boat had a similar issue. I assumed that was the way it was supposed to be. By the end of the first season I realized that I had actually bent the steering wheel trying to get the boat into the slip. I replaced the cable the next spring and was able to turn the wheel with two fingers instead of two hands...I believe one of the frequent posters on this site has the following in his signature line, "just because you found it that way doesn't mean it is supposed to be that way". Wise, very wise...

Thanks, I think that is the way I'll go.