Volvo penta with jerky steering issue

[pondsplants]

Hello
I have a 2001 Cobalt 226 with volvo penta 5.7 gsi DP and my steering is not smooth. The wheel jerks at several spots on rotation. I have read many threads and decided to swap out the power steering pump. This didn't help. So, I read some more and decided to r/r the steering cable. This made no improvement either.
All that is left to change is the steering actuator, the pinion gear at the helm (which seemed to spin freely when I removed the rack) or maybe the pivot points on the outdrive??
How do I know if the actuator is bad. It doesn't appear to be leaking fluid. It does move around a lot when you move the wheel, but I think that is normal? How would I know if the pivot points on the outdrive are binding?
Thank you in advance for any assistance.
Chris

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo penta with jerky steering issue

You don't need to change anything, you are learning fast that throwing parts at a problem, and reading unrelated posts isn't helping cure the problem.

A few things to do.
1. On the steering actuator, make sure the flats on the aluminum tube that goes through the actuator are as shown in the picture below. Not on the top and bottom of the tube. If not, loosen cable and turn to correct position and tighten cable while holding the tube with a wrench.



2. Next, make sure the cable is free to swing as the actuator swings when turning, and that it's free to shuttle the actuator back and forth when steering.

3. This is probably what is causing all your problem. It needs to be bled of air.
With the engine OFF (Not running) turn the steering from lock to lock 6 or 8 times making sure the power steering pump stays full.

Now you are ready to start and run the engine and all should be fine. On a few of them, I took a few tries to get the air bled out completely with the engine off.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Volvo penta with jerky steering issue

Grease fitting?Not sure there is one on your unit.
If so try greasing it.

 

[pondsplants]

Re: Volvo penta with jerky steering issue

Thanks Don. I did check to make sure the squared part of the cable tightener was vertical when i installed it. The cable had lots of room to move. I will try again bleeding, but doubt that will help as it was doing the same thing before I changed the pump. I had tried this method of bleeding before and after the pump change.
The marina mechanic thought it was the pump. Your right, I hate just throwing new parts at it, but at least I'm not paying labour charges or I would have paid double by now.
The only grease fitting I can see is for the gimbal bearing and I just had it replaced this past summer.
Any other thoughts?
Chris

 

[pondsplants]

Re: Volvo penta with jerky steering issue

I just noticed that a p/o has spliced a brass coupler in the power steering hose. Could this be reducing the flow of fluid and causing a jerky feeling at the wheel?

 

[woody66912]

Re: Volvo penta with jerky steering issue

You can disassemble the actuator and install a new o-ring. on the ram.

 

[bvlmv]

Re: Volvo penta with jerky steering issue

You don't need to change anything, you are learning fast that throwing parts at a problem, and reading unrelated posts isn't helping cure the problem.

A few things to do.
1. On the steering actuator, make sure the flats on the aluminum tube that goes through the actuator are as shown in the picture below. Not on the top and bottom of the tube. If not, loosen cable and turn to correct position and tighten cable while holding the tube with a wrench.

Hi Don,

What is the reason for number 1? I have a 5.0 Gi PWTR and recently changed my power steering cylinder.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo penta with jerky steering issue

Have no idea what the reason is, but since both Volvo and Mercruiser state the same thing on the same type PS cylinder, I figured there must be a reason. During a Volvo training class, the instructor also stated they should be up and down as it could cause problems. He said something about it back then, but I don't remember what it was. I just did them right and never had a problem.

 

[bvlmv]

Re: Volvo penta with jerky steering issue

Have no idea what the reason is, but since both Volvo and Mercruiser state the same thing on the same type PS cylinder, I figured there must be a reason. During a Volvo training class, the instructor also stated they should be up and down as it could cause problems. He said something about it back then, but I don't remember what it was. I just did them right and never had a problem.

Interesting. Like I said before I recently changed the cylinder and I still get a small-medium shake when turning port side fast (it doesn't happen much when I turn slow). I also noticed that it's less when the trim is down. I've been bleeding the system on and off for about 3 weeks and still can't get rid of it completely. Is this something that goes away completely with time? I'll align like the pic shows and hopefully that will fix it.

 

[bvlmv]

Re: Volvo penta with jerky steering issue

Lined up the flat spots like the diagram but no luck. Has someone been able to fix this?? BTW I do hear air pushing out of the reservoir when the cap is on but that's because the oil is pushing out.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo penta with jerky steering issue

You need to start a new thread of your own. Not just change the subject to your problem from pondsplants original question. Get confusing when no one knows who is replying to which poster. It's called hijacking.

 

[bvlmv]

Re: Volvo penta with jerky steering issue

Gotcha. I'll open a new one.