Hard steering

[ae708]

This is my 1st I/O, all my other boats have been outboards. My Manta Ray is really hard to steer... are all I/O's hard to steer if they don't have hydraulic or power steering? As you can tell by my posts I'm not real happy with this boat but can't afford to buy a new one. I think this one will send me back to an outboard if and when I can afford one.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Hard steering

It will surely be tougher to steer than without power steering but it should not be very difficult.Why dont you try cleaning the steering piston ,repeat cleaning it by turning the wheel all the way until the piston is all the way out and spray it with penetrating oil.turn it all the way in the other direction and bring it back.Wipe the piston off and you should get a load of crap off of it.Keep doing this at least 10 times(its way easier with 2 people).You should notice a difference.when and if it gets easier then it is time to grease through the fitting.Good luck!!! charlie

 

[rattana]

Re: Hard steering

Is it hard to steer in both directions or just in one direction?

 

[ae708]

Re: Hard steering

Hard to steer in both directions.... almost as though there's not enough leverage to properly move the outdrive. It doesn't feel like it's binding. Driving this boat isn't fun, it's work.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Hard steering

Just to add what crazy charlie suggest with cleaning..you also need to keep in mind that at displacment speeds it will steer a bit heavy, when at planing speeds you should be able to trim the drive a bit at a time until you feel the steering losin up a bit,If this is not happening after a cleaning then, I would recommend that you disconnect the steering from the tiller arm from inside and see if you can move the drive from outside the boat, should swing left to right easily, if not then the vertical pins or shafts that mount the gimbal to the gimbal bracket are more than likley worn of seized, also when steering is disconnected turn wheel left to right should be nice a free, BUT the first thing I would look at is at the helm check and see if there is a friction adjustment knob/screw on either the bottem or top side of the steering hub bezel, could just be simply turned in to tight causing alot of drag at the wheel, if thats the case then you can losin it abit.

 

[ae708]

Re: Hard steering

Thanks for all the good advice guys. I'll try the cleaning and lube and checking the friction, etc. This isn't a sudden thing.. been this way since the boat was new. The boat is a '98 but probably only has about 40 hours run time on it.... if that much.<br /> It has been serviced at the dealer a few times and I've told them about the hard steering.... no magic fix so far. I am about ready to trade it off for an old outboard rig in good shape... anyone want a nice bowrider? lol

 

[MrBill]

Re: Hard steering

AE:<br /><br />Your steering should not be so difficult that you're complaining about it...something is wrong. Since it's been like that since new, I suspect a kink, bend or improper lube causing friction. I would consider new cable(s)...try asking some one else with similar size/set-up boat to compare it to theirs...or try another similar sized boat yourself that does not have power steering.