[freakdave]

Okay so i had some steering issues lately that i posted, 496HO w/Bravo X. I was very low on PS fluid, bilge had fluid in the bottom, leaked somewhere but could not find the leak. Added fluid, so far no fluid loss and i have been out several times and have no idea where or why the fluid leaked out. Steering still has some slop. 1" in steering wheel without it "catching" to turn outdrive. Wife turned the wheel while i watched in the bilge.Steering ram did not extend until wife turned steering wheel about 1" and then it caught.

You can move the outdrive by hand left and right several inches without the steering wheel moving. You cannot move the outdrive up or down at all.When I am driving the boat it feels loose especially when trimmed up and when i am driving fast I must keep wheel turned 1/2 turn to the left to keep it straight and when I suddenly de-celerate it wants to turn right

112 hours...had the boat 2 years with no steering issues till now
So, what do you think..are there any bolts that I can tighten or check? Pics are great if you have them.

Where the steering cable comes into the steering arm assembly it is threaded. Can i tighten that connection to see if the steering wheel slop goes away?

Is there such thing as having "air" in the line from such low PS fluid and then adding some that will give me any issues?

Last thing..if I add a single ram I assume I should get this issue fixed first...just asking to make sure I dont have to do anything unnecessary $$$$.

Thanks for your input. Dave

 

[olmo40]

Play in the steering usually means air .If it leaked then doesnt leak ?mmm If you didnt do anything else ie thighten a steering line etc I think there is a good chance it will leak again .There should be 2 bleed nipples where the steering hoses connect to the ram ,if you can get the nose of the boat lower than the rear turn the wheel one way full lock and break the nipple open and closed ,then the other way open and closed ,keep an eye on the fluid level and keep it topped up .do this untill nearly all the play is out ,then the last few times leave it full lock for an hour or even overnight ,this should fix you play or drastically improve it .

 

[freakdave]

Dumb question, But i assume the motor needs to be running for this to happen?

 

[olmo40]

No ,not for the bleeding .

 

[KAP]

Comment:

Well you have a lot of things going on in one post. Power steering and side to side play being excessive.

I would recommend taking your boat to your preferred marine service shop.

KAP

 

[freakdave]

Fixed it!

Well I became a boat steering "expert" after ordering the steering service manual on ebay for $20 and studying it. I'm glad i did this because the fix was a simple quarter turn of the steering cable guide tube clockwise to align the flat sides vertical instead of horizontal and that was it. Those flat surfaces have to be vertical for the fluid to run normally through the system. If not you will have slop in the steering. No gimble bearing or gimble this or that thank goodness. Anyone else have a steering issue get the book and read it Service Manual #39.