Stringer 800 Steering stuck to Starboard

[jdmunno]

Hi Folks,

I made the mistake of buying an old boat last spring without researching this forum first. You guys have helped me tremendously so far without knowing it. Too much to list. Thanks!

It is a 1985 Wellcraft 260 Aftcabin. It is powered by a Chevy 5.7l with a stringer 800. It has a power steering assisted Trucourse system. Ignoring low speed wander issues, the steering always felt erratic and clunky. The latest problem is that while we were cruising around the lake at about 10 mph we made a full right turn. The boat would not come out of the turn and before powering down I forced the wheel to Port. The steering wheel now turns easily from stop to stop. I can see a long horizontal rod behind the engine respond when the steering wheel is turned (see pics), so I believe that the helm and cable are fine. The outdrive does not respond. We got towed to the ramp and pulled the boat. The drive will tilt up and down, but can not be moved left or right by hand.

One thought is that the input gear (16) has jumped the cluster gear (17).

I realize that I probably have not provided enough info, so if you can help and need more info, please let me know how to help you help me. Again, thanks for any help.

 

[jdmunno]

Re: Stringer 800 Steering stuck to Starboard

Wow, the silence is defening. Is this the wrong forum for the issue?

 

[jdmunno]

Re: Stringer 800 Steering stuck to Starboard

Does this photo indicate that the drive + IH has to come out? To open that cover?

 

[jdmunno]

Re: Stringer 800 Steering stuck to Starboard

The previous photo of the hub/tiller assembly was from when I first got the boat last Spring. The attached is what it looks like now after it got stuck. The Model of the engine is 574SPHRCOM (1985).

The part number appears to be 0983400 for the whole tiller hub assembly. Based on a boroscope video I took this weekend, it looks like there is no way to get that hub assembly cover off without pulling the drive and IH and possibly unmounting the motor. Does anyone have any advice for locating the part? Either the tiller arm or the whole power steering kit?

Alternatively, since the TruCourse equipment from the helm to that lever works, is there a steering conversion that can be made at the stern?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Stringer 800 Steering stuck to Starboard

tons of 800 series drives in my neck of the woods, but only ever seen one with power steering in person...

I suppose you could just go with regular tru course, non powered

I guess the boat builder specs p/s based on expectations of steering effort... but trucourse is pretty effortless in smaller boats

I've seen 22' boats without it. not sure about a 26 footer though with 260hp might need p/s

 

[jdmunno]

Re: Stringer 800 Steering stuck to Starboard

Thanks Howard. I think I'm coming to the realization that I have a lot of work to do. The drive apparently sat in salt water for a while before I got the boat. Here is what it looks like underneath The ESA was disconnected when the distributor was converted to electronic ignition. Shifting is difficult to go into neutral. The bilge has always had water in it even after replacing the Transom Seal 2 months ago (possibly through the shift cable opening). The engine runs good.

Also, I have only found one of these steering gear boxes on eBay for $575 (used). I see people selling one of the internal gears, but nothing else from inside.

Do you have any advice for a checklist of everything that I should undertake when I start taking it apart or is there a better forum to use for the disassembly process?