78 bonanza v8 mercruiser wandering and more!

[noizeyneighboramps]

I just bought a 78 bonanza(BMC) 18" with a 350 mercruiser and type 1 outdrive. This thing will jerk hard to the left upon heavy acceleration, and at slow speeds and for the most part higher speeds it will wander to the left then right (im sure because I am overcorrecting). It has a deep v hull and has added on trim tabs. The anode trim tab was facing left (the leading edge), and I put it in the neutral position and steering didn't get any worse or better. I am going to check steering arm for play and other ideas? Has hydraulic steering system with the one cable that goes from the helm to the valve at the rack.<br />Appreciate any help or ideas anyone has.<br />Mike

 

[a.d.mobile]

Re: 78 bonanza v8 mercruiser wandering and more!

move the tab to the same direction as it pulls to. there should be a grease zirt on the steering ram buy the cable attachment point towards the haul this is often forgoten and will cause lots of slop. when the boat is on a trailer and you move the drive is it hard to move or does it flop back and forth about 1 inch or so? push on the drive!

 

[noizeyneighboramps]

Re: 78 bonanza v8 mercruiser wandering and more!

Hey thanks for the reply A.D.<br />I originally moved the trim tab back to the full neutral position and the kicking hard to the left(the bow) still is there. I looked evrything over this morning and greased the zert at the power stearing rack, no movement on the outdrive at all, unless you push real hard then it will overcome the rack. I also found that the fitting which attaches the stearing cable to the rack had backed off quite a bit and i fully tightened it to the rack. Hopefull this will be most of the root cause of my stearing problems. I also found that the steering wheel will move around 5 degrees either direction but the shaft that the wheel is attached to does not move during this. Is the wheel keyed to the shaft or does the main big nut just clamp it to the shaft?<br /><br />Mike