Steering hard to right, not as bad to left...?

[Getaway]

Boat: 1998 290 DA with single 7.4ltr/Bravo III

Just changed the steering cable - issue still persists.

Boats steering is still difficult, but more so when turning to starboard.

Is this generally a symptom of a bad PS Pump? Or the power steering actuator? or something else?

Thank you in advance!
Bob

 

[Espos4]

Maybe low pump pressure?
Funny you mentioned this, because I've always noticed that when my engine isn't running, I can easily push the outdrive toward the port side, like turning left. It is very difficult to push it to starboard.

 

[1956olds]

I think you just need to work out more Bill.Sorry no help with out drives but nice to see you have a new toy .

 

[scoflaw]

Does the out drive swing freely in both directions with the cylinder disconnected? There is a cap on the cylinder with flats that should be in the vertical position

 

[Getaway]

Scoflaw
I’ll double check the outdrive. Have not done that yet.

When you say “flats” are you talking about part “e” on the attached schematic? I may have rotated those when installing the new cable...

Thank you!!

 

[scoflaw]

Just behind E, you can see the flat in that pic.

 

[Getaway]

Just behind E, you can see the flat in that pic.

Ok gotcha. Those should be turned verticle?

 

[Getaway]

UPDATE:
Per Scoflaw's advice, I clocked the flats on the cylinder to the vertical position. It was still very difficult to steer.

The bracket for my autopilot actuator clamps to the aluminum tube in front of the threaded nut for the steering cable. Found out, those clamp bolts must be slightly loose otherwise they collapse the aluminum tube and lock up the steering.

Loosened those bolts and boom, she's smooth as can be! Now I need a better mounting mechanism for the autopilot...

Thank you!