Steering issue . 1990 mercruiser 5.7

[phillycincykid]

Good day all

Fixing a problem that started last season. My steering became incredibly tough . The second to last trip I noticed the steering tight but once the engine warmed up it steered fine. I attributed this to a cool October morning . The last trip I couldn't turn the wheel at all and had to throw the throttle in reverse to miss crashing the dock . After 10mins of idle it steered enough to get the boat back on the trailer and get out of the river . So far I've greased the rack , checked the power steering cooler for a blockage and changed the fluid . The belt wasn't slipping off the pump . I took the belt off , hooked a drill up to the pump and ran the drill b/t 800 to 1000 RPM's , to simulate a idle engine . You can't see the fluid moving inside the pump like I can my truck when the engine is idle . Should you see any fluid movement , I would at least think air bubbles since the system was drained and needed burped. Someone was turning the wheel while I was spinning the pump pulley . The engine was not running . The pump isn't whining . Any help would be great !

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... Disconnect the aft end of the steerin' cable, pull it outa the aluminum tube, 'n Clean the cable end, 'n inside the tube,....
The Grease the 'ell oughta it when puttin' it back together,....

That, 'n the cable itself are the most likely trouble spots,....

 

[alldodge]

A PS pump, will pump fluid all the time. It comes out of the high pressure side and comes back in the low side thru the cooler. Only when the steering is moved does much pressure develop.

Did it ever run out of oil? If it did, they burn up fast.

I would start with disconnecting the drive from the steering cylinder and see how easy the drive can be moved.

If drive is moved easy, check the steering cable connection to the cylinder.


If all checks out, I would be leaning toward the pump

 

[thumpar]

I can turn the wheel even without the engine running just fine. Do as Bondo suggested.

 

[phillycincykid]

I will do what bondo says . No , never ran it out of oil . I am OCD With fluids , changing fuilds and greasing to avoid problems like this . Thank you all for your feedback !

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... When ya get it all unhooked, you can try the steerin' wheel, to get a feel of the cable, 'n helm,....

You can also swing the drive from side to side, to get a feel of the gimbal pivot bushin's/ bearin's,....

 

[phillycincykid]

hey guys,

wanted to follow up with this issue, yes the cable is no longer any good. all the greasing and lubing helped, but it still wasn't right. so it will get replaced. it lasted 26 years. since the steering was disconnected, i did move the outdrive back and forth to make sure nothing there was seizing up and that all checked out good. getting to the steering cable at the transom so far as been the worst position Ive had to put my body in with this boat since Ive owned this boat!