Cant turn right?

[pltaylor]

Hi folks, I have a Signa 16' I/O. After a great day on the lake yesterday we were cruising back about 20 mph and all of a sudden BAM! We hit something HARD! Turns out it was a water logged 2x6 about 8' long drifting just under the surface. We had a bad storm a couple days before and I think it came off some ones dock. It felt like a brick wall, brought us to full stop and killed the engine. We were able to limp on in. Today I looked everything over. No hull damage but a mangled prop. So I switched it out and took it out for a test. Now I can't turn right. Out of the water steering seems fine but in, if you let go of the wheel it will turn hard left on it's own. To go straight it takes a great deal of strength. And wont turn right at all. Any ideas? Thanks in advanced. New to the forums, so apologies if this isn't the right place.

 

[junior1113]

Re: Cant turn right?

more than likely a steering sytem problem?? repost in mercruser forum or what kind of motor you have

 

[Splat]

Re: Cant turn right?

Nope.... Doubt a steering issue, the pulling hard to the left is the giveaway here.


I would say more than likely the trim tab mounted to the anti-ventalation plate is bent or mangled, or even just out of adjustment causing this. Try moving the tab(if it's still intact) to the right and re-test. Should fix your problem.

Bill

 

[junior1113]

Re: Cant turn right?

Nope.... Doubt a steering issue, the pulling hard to the left is the giveaway here.


I would say more than likely the trim tab mounted to the anti-ventalation plate is bent or mangled, or even just out of adjustment causing this. Try moving the tab(if it's still intact) to the right and re-test. Should fix your problem.

Bill

cant turn at all one way, that little torque tab would'nt make it so you could'nt turn at all esspessialy with hydralic steering. i forgot to put mine back on one time and didnt realize it untill i got home and seen it was'nt there. lol maybee its a inboard outboard thing

 

[pltaylor]

Re: Cant turn right?

Nope.... Doubt a steering issue, the pulling hard to the left is the giveaway here.


I would say more than likely the trim tab mounted to the anti-ventalation plate is bent or mangled, or even just out of adjustment causing this. Try moving the tab(if it's still intact) to the right and re-test. Should fix your problem.

Bill

Wow, thanks for the rapid replies. At first look the trim tab looked fine, but I just went and looked again and it is ever so slightly bent to the port side. I would never thought such a slight bend could cause so much trouble but I bet you're right. Oh please let that be all it is. Should I try to straighten it or just replace it? Would a slight bend make it near impossible to steer?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Cant turn right?

I would think not; but give it a try, you may have to replace it.
I think something is damaged in the outdrive assembly.And under power it binds up.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Cant turn right?

Wow, thanks for the rapid replies. At first look the trim tab looked fine, but I just went and looked again and it is ever so slightly bent to the port side. I would never thought such a slight bend could cause so much trouble but I bet you're right. Oh please let that be all it is. Should I try to straighten it or just replace it? Would a slight bend make it near impossible to steer?

Is it bent or just turned to one side? Its suppose to be turned a little bit. If it?s not turned correctly it will make it very hard to turn it and it will want to pull to one side if you don?t have power steering.
On my old boat the trim tab not being set correctly did make it very difficult to turn. I don?t know if it will make it almost impossible to turn, maybe yours is really out of adjustment.

 

[pltaylor]

Re: Cant turn right?

Well it looks straight ahead as far as left and right but the lower end looks slightly bent to the left. I think I'll just have to take it in and bite the $85 per hour labor and have the pros look it over to be safe. Thanks for the tips. I'll report back what they have to say.

 

[pltaylor]

Re: Cant turn right?

Well, it was the trim tab. I swear they only moved it a 1/8 of an inch. Amazing. They also rebuilt my carb while they had it and now it will steer but runs like sh*t. Ran good for about 30 minutes then choked and sputtered the rest of the day. Always something. I'm ready to scream.