Volvo Penta stiff steering

[Galvez83]

Good morning all, i have noted after dring the boat around and comparing to my previous boats of the same type, that the steering feels off. As the boat steers it suddenly feels stiff. 5.7 VP with new PS pump trans fluid. I checked all the lines and no leaks present. I also checked the steering cylinder for leaks but its bone dry. The steering is by no means smooth. At times it fights me. I also checked the cable and all good. After reading several post about the position of the notch in the cylinder, i checked on mine and it was with the in the correct position. I made sure everything was tight as well. Any idea what i could be looking at?

 

[Galvez83]

Anyone?

 

[alldodge]

Thought a VP person would comment
If this was a Merc I would be looking at the pump pressure, might just need replacing.

What pump?

 

[kd4pbs]

Does it do this in one direction or both? Constantly or just some times? I just had to rebuild my transom assembly, and I did find that the gimbal ring's top pivot sleeve was so corroded that it was essentially stuck inside the transom shield's bearing, causing the steering to be extremely heavy. So much so that it would literally groan when turning. I'm sure it was a progressive failure, becoming very stiff over time.
How lightly does the drive turn in the power steering actuator "slop" - that few degrees where the actuator moves left and right in it's sleeve?

 

[Lou C]

Ok when you added fluid did you bleed the air out?
Is it always stiff in the same part of the steering radius (at ends, just off center, etc), or random?
When you checked the cable how did you check it? with the cable disconnected from the steering arm, the steering should be very very easy, so much so that you can pull the cable out of the tube by hand.
Don't forget there is a rotary steering unit or a rack n pinion unit under the dashboard these sometimes wear and get worn out.
My boat still has the original cable and rotary unit and it's pretty light in effort. I did replace the steering actuator due to leaks about 4 years ago.

 

[Galvez83]

Yes air was bled out when the new pump was installed early this year. Stiffness present randomly in both directions. No leak on cylinder or pump. Plenty of Ps fluid on the reservoir. Not sure if it helps but i tried moving the drive by hand from side to side and it moves then locks in place, then moves again. I dont recall my other VP being this stiff.

 

[Lou C]

While it might be a trial to fit yourself back in there, I'd try disconnecting the steering cable from the steering arm and see if you can push and pull the cable easily. And spin the wheel to see how the helm unit is. If that stuff is original it is all 25 years old!
If it's not that, then the bushings on the swivel housing might be suspect....
Even on my ancient Cobra (1988) I can move the drive from side to side pretty easily.

 

[kd4pbs]

Mine does the same thing. It is the fluid being forced under pressure from the actuator back into the pump reservoir, and it takes a little time for the fluid to move. While it is moving, the pressure makes it hard ti move the drive. It sounds like your gimbal steering beatings are fine. Edit: I apologize for my device auto garble keyboard programming!

 

[Lou C]

However, any stiffness in the system will cause the power assist to lag behind the manual aspect of the steering. That's why you have to check the cable/helm unit and the swivel housing bushings....

 

[Galvez83]

I disconnected the steering cable from the cylinder. I can move the drive from side to side slowly, any sudden push or pull locks it in place. Will move once more to the oposite way and back, but only alowly. I assume that is normal due to the movement of the fluid, which you can hear in the transom. The steering cable on the other hand, i cannot pull or push at all. If i use the steering wheel it will move. I am not sure if its supposed to be that way. Or if it will allow movement even attached to the steering wheel.

 

[muc]

With the steering cable disconnected at the cylinder, the steering wheel should turn easily. Like one finger easy.
Now disconnect the steering arm at the rack. Drive should move easily.

These are just two things to try. You haven't told us what Volvo Penta transom plate you have. Serial number is best. Year of the boat is pretty much meaningless for this issue. Also might help if you told us how long this has been going on and if it seems to be getting worse. Also if anything else has changed.

 

[muc]

Not sure if it helps but i tried moving the drive by hand from side to side and it moves then locks in place, then moves again. I dont recall my other VP being this stiff.

This is very common, each boat can be a little different. Has to do with what helm and steering rack is on the boat.

 

[Galvez83]

Transom unit TSK SX-M and drive is DP-SM

 

[Lou C]

You basically want to narrow down the cause by a process of elimination. If you disconnect the steering cable at the steering arm and you can easily move it in and out then you can eliminate both the cable and the helm unit. But if it's stiff, then you can disconnect the cable at the helm unit as well and see what you find, could be just one or the other or both. This way you find the cause without wasting time and money.
When I changed my steering actuator a few years ago the helm/cable was very smooth, no effort to turn and believe it or not they are original to this boat (37 years old). I did grease the cable where it comes out of the actuator tube every season, so it's always been lubed as per the manufacturer's specs. When I replaced the actuator, I also added grease to the cable where it goes into the cable jacket. That seems to help.
I recall Scott D saying once that if you disconnect the cable at the steering arm, you should be able to push it in and out, I didn't know that when I did that job, but from turning the steering wheel when the cable was disconnected at the steering arm, the wheel moved with no resistance.