Stringer 800 wont move left or right

[trooper1822]

Ok so I have a 81 sea ray with a 3.8l and the steering is fozen. I checked the power steering fluid and the level is good. I tried to turn the steering wheel and it will not budge more than about half an inch. Currently it is locked all the way to port. Disconnected the steering cable and the wheel moves freely. Tried moving the drive by hand and it will not budge. I have greased all the fittings with freash waterproof marine grease and still nothing. What should be the next course of action? I have the manual for the drive but am at work for the next day and the book is at home on my desktop so figured I would ask and see if anyone has some advice? Thanks

 

[southkogs]

Re: Stringer 800 wont move left or right

Assuming that the 800 uses Tru-Course Steering - are all the gears in the upper unit working right? My steering is different than Tru-Course, but even if Tru-Course is working right I don't think you can move the drive by hand very easily.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Stringer 800 wont move left or right

edit - just read the part about fluid - I don't know anything about the power steering on these - factory service manual has a section on it.

 

[trooper1822]

Re: Stringer 800 wont move left or right

Ok so I think I have isolated the issue to the gears. I disconnected the drive from the boat and disconnected the steering mech and tried to manually turn the drive steering gears but there was no movement. I took the upper cover off where the dipstick is and tried to remove the 6 screws from the upper gear housing cover but they are stuck tight. Tried letting them soak in penetrating oil overnight but still nothing. So thinking about trying to use my torch to heat the screws but not sure if this will cause damage. Cant really proceed until I get the 6 screws out.

 

[wire2]

Re: Stringer 800 wont move left or right

A torch on aluminum parts can be risky, esp. oxy-acetylene. Do you have access to a cordless impact drill/driver?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Stringer 800 wont move left or right

did you try steering it after you loosened the upper dipstick cover bolts?

 

[wrench 3]

Re: Stringer 800 wont move left or right

You need an impact driver for the screws. The type you hit with a hammer. But did you do as Howard suggested. If the gears will turn with the top plate off, the problem is with the swivel and not the gears.

 

[jdmunno]

Re: Stringer 800 wont move left or right

Sorry to hear about your trouble. I had my Stringer power steering gearbox freeze up last Fall. I bought a used one on eBay, then took it apart and cleaned all of the gears and reassembled and greased it good. Also, I muggywelded the connecting joint at the end of the power steering piston. After installing it and replacing the bushing & seal in the intermediate housing where the sterndrive steering gear penetrates the IH, I could turn the steering gear with my fingers from behind the boat (before reattaching the sterndrive) and I could easily make the steering wheel turn. I launched the boat this weekend. It steered SO easily. But, it also overheated, would not go faster than 6 knots at ANY RPM and then I found milky oil on the dipstick. So I have a blown head gasket or cracked block. But it steers GREAT! Here is a pic of the newly installed gearbox. Yes, it is a pain to get out, but I did it without pulling the engine or removing the boot. Also a pic of the broken steering arm (which occurred when the gears froze) and a pic of the inside of the old gearbox and a pic of what you probably need

 

[trooper1822]

Re: Stringer 800 wont move left or right

Ok so an update. I isolated the issue to the rod that connects to the steering cable. The cable was snapped half way down the length of the cable. When I went to remore the cable the steering rod was frozen in place. I removed the nut and tried to pull it out. In the end I had to use a long ratchet extension and pound it out. It was rusted tight in there. Once I removed the cable everything could be moved by hand. So new cable has been ordered. Also as far as the screws go, I tried using a impact screw driver and that did not work. I ended up buying a screw extractor set and removed them.

 

[trooper1822]

Re: Stringer 800 wont move left or right

Fixed! Installed the new steering cable and it turns like a champ. Can use one finger to turn the wheel now.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Stringer 800 wont move left or right

Cool! I'm a little jealous actually - I'd love to have the Tru-Course steering on mine.