Steering vibration when turning fast

[J_C_E]

Hello i have a Alpha one Gen2, 4.3 v6 MPI engine. The steering actuator is oldtype (around year 1990)
I get vibration when turning the steering wheel fast @ dock, nothing when turning slowly.
Engine is new, with new coupler, sterndrive is new, prop new. No vibration when driving or doing wide turns.

Steering is not heavy and moves ok slowly turned. Faster turning makes the wheel and whole boat shake

I have bleeded the system and oil level is ok. Drove boat whole summer and steering didnt change in anyway, so no air should be in system. Have turned whole way to boh directions many times too.
Today opened oilpump, oil is like new, no wear or metal anywhere(magnet almost clean).

I have some looseness in the steering wheel (1/4 turn) Could this cause shaking ?

Or do i have a bad actuator? Some gaskets wear out or valves sticking of dirt maybe?

 

[mr 88]

Re: Steering vibration when turning fast

Universal joints going ??

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Steering vibration when turning fast

Hi. Check belt condition - make sure it's tight and not slipping. Problem could be actuator or pump. Play in steering wouldn't cause the problem, but may amplify the effects.

 

[Don S]

Re: Steering vibration when turning fast

With the engine off and not run for a while (overnight if possible) drive down, operate the steering lock to lock about a half a dozen times to bleed it out. Should stop the shaking.

 

[J_C_E]

Re: Steering vibration when turning fast

Well i have the boat out from water and doing a v-belt to serpentine conversion and installing a thru hull pickup and raw water pump on the crank. So i cannot do any testing atm. I will buy a new steering shell+cable to remove the play in steering. Maybe there was just air in the system?
Because only thing that changed under engine replacement was i had the hoses disconnected from the steering system. And year before it was working good. Same pump and actuator etc.
Belt was new and tight.
Is there a possibility that all air wont come out by just turning the wheel from side to side? Maybe helps bleeding it to open pipe connector from the cylinder? Because i turned the wheel many times and it didnt get any better ?

 

[Don S]

Re: Steering vibration when turning fast

You are never going to get the steering play out of it so it will be as tight as a car. Rack and pinion steering cable have play in them, even new ones. Even with brand new boats, with new drives and engines, and new steering cables and helms have play and will get the shakes you describe if not bled correctly.

Here is from the manual. You have to bleed it without the engine running first, or you will never get it bled out properly.

 

[J_C_E]

Re: Steering vibration when turning fast

Thanks Don
I know it will never have a car feel, but just feels like it has too much play. Need to check some things and maybe try some1 elses boat and its steering feel.
Maybe full hydraulic steering could make it better but full hydraulic scares me. They arent allowed in cars for a reason Dont want to loose steering because of a leak. Mechanical is always mechanical.
I will try bleeding it again when summer arrives and i get boat back in water. I just tought the fault might be something else that i could fix under winter. But i guess the hydraulic+steering system is pretty bulletproof in these.