loose steering

[edj1993]

I have a'99 chaparral 180 with the 3.0 liter mercruiser. It has the power steering and tilt wheel. There is about 60 degrees of "play" at the wheel. It is the same whether the boat is running or not (engine on or off) or whether at idle or top speed. I have removed the cable protector at the helm unit, and there seems to be some play there but I cant tell if the problem is all in the helm unit, or a combination of the tilt mechanism, the helm unit, and the rack. I have not been able to remove the cable from the rear rack unit because when I try to remove the nut, the flange on the rack also turns with it..Any info would be appreciated-I dont want to just start replacing parts. My mechanic insists that the problem should go away under power, but this is nto true. When in forward motion at idle, the boat wanders back and forth and will not travel in a straight line-I suspect it is because of this issue.. thanks

 

[lekmedm]

Re: loose steering

I have the same issue. Any boating gurus out there have any ideas? Does power steering fluid need to be changed regularly and can influence loose steering? I was thinking that the same way brake fluid in cars absorbs water and gives a spongy brake pedal feel, maybe it's similar with power steering on boats.

 

[Bondo]

Re: loose steering

When in forward motion at idle, the boat wanders back and forth and will not travel in a straight line-I suspect it is because of this issue..

Ayuh,.....

I'm not saying you Don't have some play in the steering system,...
But,...
ALL V-hulls tend to wander at trolling speeds,... Period....
Just don't chase it by correcting all the time,...
It'll usually come back with little or no input for the operator...

It takes 3 people to find the Slop, if there is any,...
1 to hold the outdrive,...
1 to move the steering wheel,...
And,..
1 to crawl thru the hull looking at All the connections, from the Helm to the Gimbel Housing....

And,....
Nope,... P/S fluid doesn't usually need changing, unless contaminated...
If if it Is contaminated,... It won't make the hull Wander...

 

[chiefalen]

Re: loose steering

You have rack and pinion steering?

Change out the whole cable.

It's all one unit the rack and the cable.

Take the old one with you to the store so you get the right length.

 

[edj1993]

Re: loose steering

Thanks.. Yes, it is rack and pinion steering, and it is power. I understand now that the wander is probably not related to the slop in the steering. You can move the steering wheel about 60 degrees of rotation without any steering movement. I have a hunch tht it is a combination of slop in the tilt unit, the helm unit, the cable, each one contributing a little to this problem.. thanks for the input-any other suggestions ?

 

[imoutnumbered]

Re: loose steering

I have a similar dead-zone problem, which doesn't affect operability, but occasionally deceives me when I think things are pointing one way and they're not. We went out of a river basin last year, and it was heck trying to keep it straight but having to work through the slop to get to the directional control was tedious at best. I'm going to take a gander at mine during winterization.​