Mecruiser 3.0 power steering issue

[trooper1954]

Hi all,
Last Fall I had a problem with both power steering fluid and trim fluid being milky, indicating water. I addressed both issues as per guidance from here and drained both systems and refilled with fresh oil, having bled both.
Just put the boat in for the first time this year....power steering level in tank is on the mark, but the steering is extremely stiff. Could someone advise how and where I start to trouble shoot this issue?
Thanks for any and all help.

 

[alldodge]

Check the steering ram to see if the flats on the tube are straight up and down (figure d)

 

[trooper1954]

Thx alldodge,
New to boating...could you tell me where exactly the steering ram is located?

 

[alldodge]

Sure, its behind the motor and the power steering lines are connected to it.

 

[Bondo]

Thx alldodge,
New to boating...could you tell me where exactly the steering ram is located?

Ayuh,........ Behind the motor on the transom plate,.......

 

[trooper1954]

Thx guys...boats out on the bouy right now...will check and report back tomorrow. When you say "flats" do you mean threads?
Cheers

 

[alldodge]

Thx guys...boats out on the bouy right now...will check and report back tomorrow. When you say "flats" do you mean threads?
Cheers

NO

Please look at the pic I posted and the dashed lines with the wrench on it. The flats are where the wrench is seen

 

[trooper1954]

Checked the flats as suggested...they are upright. What's the next step in the troubleshooting list? It seems also that there is a grinding noise as i turn the steering wheel that seems to be coming from below the wheel .....perhaps the linkage?

 

[alldodge]

there is a grinding noise as i turn the steering wheel that seems to be coming from below the wheel .....perhaps the linkage?

Agree, if the wheel is slipping and drive is not moving

Disconnect the larger nut back on the steering ram and remove the clevis pij and cotter pin holding it. Once disconnected the cable can be removed from the ram. Then see if it moves both directions when turning the helm

If it does, and with the cable disconnected as mentioned above, from outside the boat, grab the drive and see if it can be moved left and right

 

[trooper1954]

Thx alldodge,
I just have the thought that it maybe the steering cable...how do I illiminate that as the problem, or will your last post address that? If it moves at the helm after disconnecting would this suggest the cable? Thx for your patience with this....just trying to learn.

 

[alldodge]

It might be the cable, but could also have an issue with the steering pin on the transom assembly

Need to disconnect the cable from the drive to see if both move easy and don't have any rough spots. With cable disconnected the there should be no noise or roughness when turning the helm. You can remove the cable from the helm and even take apart the helm gear to have a look

When moving the drive by hand holding the outdrive it will be easy enough and spring back to middle when released. The spring back will be from the rubber bellows.

 

[trooper1954]

Should the helm gear have grease in it, and should the linkage on the power steering at the transom where the grease nipple is be moving slightly when helm is turned?
thx

 

[alldodge]

Helm gear should have grease inside
The grease fitting on the ram doesn't move, it just there to grease the cable. Later years have done away with the fitting

 

[trooper1954]

Ok....so have identified the steering cable as the issue....is this something that's easy to remove/replace? I cannot find a serial number or part number at the helm end, so am trying to use a small hand mirror in the transom area as I don't see anything visible on the cable that I can see....maybe tucked on the back? Is the serial/part number just written on the cable, or actually stamped into it?
Thx.

 

[alldodge]

The hardest part is fishing the cable thru. Remove the cable and it should have a number on it which is the type and length

Do look real good at the helm gear, might need both. Another think is they may no longer make yours which would also require the helm also

 

[trooper1954]

Thanks for all the help alldodge....
Broke down and took the boat to the boat doctor on Saturday...decided I'd let a mechanic handle it as the tach also stopped working so hoping to kill two birds with one stone
I've told him to put in a full kit, cable helm and bezel....whats there now is no doubt the original which makes it 30 years old!!