Steering trouble at low speeds

[dhud64]

I have a 98 Procraft with regular steering, (a cable from steering wheel to motor). <br />The steering is stiff and sometime sticky feeling at low speed and even at WOT. But, When at WOT and I begin to trim the boat out, it steers easily, (one finger operation gliding back and forth). <br />With previous advise, I dis-assembled where the cable goes through the tube, cleaned and removed rust, added new grease etc.<br />The motor does turn freely when disconnected from cable.<br />Any ideas? Thanks in advance!

 

[dhud64]

Re: Steering trouble at low speeds

^

 

[wayne h]

Re: Steering trouble at low speeds

does the cable move free when disconected from the motor ? if not i would change the cable or disconect it from the wheel and see if there is a problem in the wheel hub? is all turning points on the engine well lubed and greased?

 

[dhud64]

Re: Steering trouble at low speeds

Everything moves freely when out of the water. The only time I have trouble is in the water at anything other than high speed or very close to WOT, with motor being trimmed up. The trimming seems to be the key.

 

[akriverrat]

Re: Steering trouble at low speeds

what is your powerplant?

 

[dhud64]

Re: Steering trouble at low speeds

Powered by a 115 Mariner.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Steering trouble at low speeds

The force needed to overcome the friction in the steering swivel tube (where the motor turns on the bracket) is quite large when the thrust is high. If the steering cable is worn it may run easy when not under load so when the motor pushes hard both the swivel tube and the steering cable takes extra power to operate.<br /><br />Unless you have powersteering turning the wheel under load will always take some power.<br /><br />When checking if the motor turns easy remember not to run it with the cable unattached - the prop torque will make it turn uncontrolled and with huge power.