Power Steering problem

J

Jim Felch

New Member
Mar 31, 2009
5
Middleville, MI
Boat Info
'89 27' Amberjack
Engines
Twin 4.3 L w/Alpha II
I have an '89 Sea Ray amberjack with twin 4.3 L engines. Last year the steering started to get harder and harder to turn. We have power assist but only have a pump on the starboard engine. During the winter we removed the end of the steering cable at the back and found some corrosion in the fixed tube----cleaned that out and greased. With the cable removed from the fixed tube the wheel at the helm turns a little harder than what I would have thought---easily with one hand but not so easy as to be able to turn with just your finger. Not sure this is good or not. We also had an issue with the starboard outdrive having some slop. We drilled two holes at the top sides of the outer cover and tightened the bolt----still slop so drilled a hole through the pin and installed a roll pin. Now the slop is gone. Seems like the power assist is not doing much. What is the most likely problem and how to check it.
 
I hope you don't think this is a stupid question........did you fill the reservoir with fluid at the steering wheel??
 
katricol said:
I hope you don't think this is a stupid question........did you fill the reservoir with fluid at the steering wheel??
Click to expand...

I don't think there is a reservoir at the steering wheel since there is a cable running from the helm to the back. As the cable moves the mechanism for turning the outdrives it also moves the lever on the valve located on the assist cylinder to help in moving the outdrives.
 
I'm sure you thought of this first but are you sure your power steering pump is working? was it ever low on fluid? I'm anxious to hear what you find out, because my steering is doing the same thing where it's tough to turn when it's cold but suddenly the power assist kicks in. I have a spare pump sitting in my garage I'm going to likely install here soon to see if that fixes my problem. keep us posted!
 
Chances are the 1989 steering cable needs replaced.....we replaced our 1988 cable in the CV-23. Our 1990 Sea Ray cable is still good or it may have been replaced, Mike.
 
I had a similar problem last year boat was leaking power steering fluid at the cooler connection and I was loosing about 4 ounces in 8 hours, after finding the leak and filling the pump it was hard to steer till it warmed up. Found out I needed to bleed the system of air by filling the pump, with engine off turning wheel all the way left and then all the way right about 20 times, then check fluid and fill if needed. I haven't had a problem since. Not sure if this will help in your case.
 
This all sounds like some good advice. The steering cable was replaced about 5 years ago. There is no damage to the cable that can be seen. I have a spare pump and am thinking that the easiest way to check the pump is to replace it which should be an easy task. I will let everyone know how we make out. Thanks again for all the good advice to all.
 
Well we worked on the boat this past weekend. The first attempt was to change the power steering pump. This is not an easy job. I did manage to get the old pump out but unfortunately the replacement was just enough different that it would not mount correctly so the old pump went back in----about a 4-1/2 hours of fun standing in the bilge. Next we tried forcing the manual valve on top the power assist actuator while turning the steering wheel---this was surprising---the steering moved very easy when just a little extra force was put on the valve. The next day while reading in the manual we found a procedure for adjusting the valve on the power assist actuator--not easy but it sure works a whole lot better now.
 
IMG_4230.JPG
Jim Felch said:
Well we worked on the boat this past weekend. The first attempt was to change the power steering pump. This is not an easy job. I did manage to get the old pump out but unfortunately the replacement was just enough different that it would not mount correctly so the old pump went back in----about a 4-1/2 hours of fun standing in the bilge. Next we tried forcing the manual valve on top the power assist actuator while turning the steering wheel---this was surprising---the steering moved very easy when just a little extra force was put on the valve. The next day while reading in the manual we found a procedure for adjusting the valve on the power assist actuator--not easy but it sure works a whole lot better now.
Click to expand...
When all else fails, read the directions.
 
Greetings to everyone , I raise my situation, I have a 240 sundeck that I bought recently, it was like a year without use, after doing the checkup and maintenance, we threw it into the water to test it, everything is working well except the hydraulic steering , The boat sails and I can make it turn but the steering wheel is very hard, I check the oil level in the pump and it's okay, I don't know what I should check to discard and get the problem.
The oil inside the pump looks a little strange. I don't know what color it should be but it looks brown and I don't know if it is supposed that when the engine is running and the pump pulley is moving, the oil must move. ? it stays still. Thanks in advance for the comments.
 
That's rust you're seeing there, and a lot of it! You probably have a leaky cooler introducing water into the steering fluid.
 
Probably has ruined your pump and ram by now. Replace the cooler and flush the system for starters.
That's a plain ole GM Saginaw pump you can buy at any auto parts store for $50. Merc wants crazy money for theirs.
 
Jim Felch said:
Well we worked on the boat this past weekend. The first attempt was to change the power steering pump. This is not an easy job. I did manage to get the old pump out but unfortunately the replacement was just enough different that it would not mount correctly so the old pump went back in----about a 4-1/2 hours of fun standing in the bilge. Next we tried forcing the manual valve on top the power assist actuator while turning the steering wheel---this was surprising---the steering moved very easy when just a little extra force was put on the valve. The next day while reading in the manual we found a procedure for adjusting the valve on the power assist actuator--not easy but it sure works a whole lot better now.
Click to expand...
Where did you find the info on adjusting valve? If available can you please share?
Thank you
 
I have the 15293-c actuator. I pulled the pin and the wheel spins with easy.
Swapped ps pumps between engines, I have twins, and still very stiff to turn. Feels like and old Merc without ps actually.
Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
 
Wanderer 290 said:
I have the 15293-c actuator. I pulled the pin and the wheel spins with easy.
Swapped ps pumps between engines, I have twins, and still very stiff to turn. Feels like and old Merc without ps actually.
Any assistance is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
 
The flats on the ram need to be vertical. Does your lower unit move freely when the cable was disconnected?
 
Bt Doctur said:
All depends on what cylinder you have.
Click to expand...
scoflaw said:
The flats on the ram need to be vertical. Does your lower unit move freely when the cable was disconnected?
Click to expand...
Yes, the flats on the ram are vertical.
Can’t check the movement on the outdrives until I pull out at the end of the season but a 4 years ago I did a repower on one engine and as I recall the outdrives moved freely. The stiff steering was present then and has been since I purchased the boat in 2010.

Thanks
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,118
Messages
1,426,544
Members
61,035
Latest member
Lukerney
Back
Top