Steering Issue

[98Merc150]

1998 Merc 150XL
Hello, New to the site and looking for some advice, I started noticing an issue with the steering yesterday, It is very hard to turn left and right. It doesn't move freely without struggling to turn the wheel. and it VERY hard to turn while underway. Does anyone know if these motors had pwr steering? I noticed that it does have a cylinder that the steering linkage goes through but not sure if that holds any type of fluid/greese or where to put it in at. Please, any guidance would be much appreciated.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Steering Issue

1998 Merc 150XL
Hello, New to the site and looking for some advice, I started noticing an issue with the steering yesterday, It is very hard to turn left and right. It doesn't move freely without struggling to turn the wheel. and it VERY hard to turn while underway. Does anyone know if these motors had pwr steering? I noticed that it does have a cylinder that the steering linkage goes through but not sure if that holds any type of fluid/greese or where to put it in at. Please, any guidance would be much appreciated.

Do a little investigating. Steering could be single or dual cable, drum or rack and pinion, or hydraulic.
What kind of a boat is it on? What is your top speed?

hope it helps
John

 

[98Merc150]

Re: Steering Issue

The motor is on a 20' Angler CC, it will do about 35-40 mph. But really that is irrelevant. It looks to be hydraulic. Do you know where the fluid plug is on hydraulic steering system?

 

[DRIFTER_016]

Re: Steering Issue

When was the last time the motor was greased?
There should be atleast a couple of grease fittings for the motors steering system. One in the tilt tube area and one about 1/2 way down the motor. If there is no grease it will be starting to seize up.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Steering Issue

Which hydraulic system. There are 4 or more varieties of them that are common.

Speed does matter. That engine over 50 mph needs either dual rack, or hydraulic steering to be safe. Else chine walk will eat you alive. That's why I asked.

If it steers at all, and is stiff, it isn't out of hydraulic fluid anyway. When is the last time you greased the midsection of the engine? At this point I would disconnect the single bolt that actually turns the engine and see if it's the steering or the engine that's stuck.

hope it helps
John