Tight Steering

HUMPH

HUMPH

Well-Known Member
Nov 4, 2009
7,618
SF BAY AREA
Boat Info
2003 410DA
2009 Walker Bay 13’
Engines
CAT 3126TA's 350HP/
50HP Honda
I am going to heck the level of the steering fluid Saturday and fill as needed. If this is not the problem does anyone have suggestions?

We ran up the Delta on Sunday and at cruising speeds the winding river gave me a workout!
 
Most likely your steering cable is freezing up form sitting all winter. Only a few things will make it tight. Low fluid level, steering cable or binding in the cable or drive. Most likely it is the steering cable. Good thing they are cheap!!!
 
Redhook98 said:
Most likely your steering cable is freezing up form sitting all winter. Only a few things will make it tight. Low fluid level, steering cable or binding in the cable or drive. Most likely it is the steering cable. Good thing they are cheap!!!
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Are the cables easy to replace? :huh:
 
Depends on the boat. It took almost 2 hours on mine and I had to cut a small access panel under my helm seat to help out. The cutting of the access hole took half that time, by the way. You probably have more space in your 320 then I had in my 290 AJ. It's a pretty simple operation. Disconnect both ends, pull the cable assembly out, put the new one in, reconnect.

Sounds easy, and for the most part it is. Just be patient.

Let's hope its low fluid level though......
 
Redhook98 said:
Depends on the boat. It took almost 2 hours on mine and I had to cut a small access panel under my helm seat to help out. The cutting of the access hole took half that time, by the way. You probably have more space in your 320 then I had in my 290 AJ. It's a pretty simple operation. Disconnect both ends, pull the cable assembly out, put the new one in, reconnect.

Sounds easy, and for the most part it is. Just be patient.

Let's hope its low fluid level though......
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ME TOO! Thanks
 
Ken,
Your boat info reads V-Drives, if that is the case, I don't believe you have cables, you have a hydraulic system. you can check the fluid at the helm. I would look for binding at the rudder gear in the bilge/ER. Lubricate accordingly. Someone with more familiarity with late model 320's than myself will surely jump in and let you know for sure.
Take care
 
I guess I check fluid level and if not fixed I crawl back to the transom to try and lube the gear? Anyone out there have recommendations? :huh:
 
I'd start there, by gear, I mean the tie bar and linkages. Pretty much self explanatory when you see it. Have someone work it back and forth while you're back there so you can see all the pivot points, good luck
 
Wow! Sorry, I missed the fact that you had V-drives. Thought we were talking about I/O here for some reason. Disregard the whole cable thing. Mark is correct, you should have hydraulic. Can you check the fluid level right at the helm? Otherwise it is something binding.
 
Yes I have a filler cap at the helm. I am about to head down seering fluid & tube in hand! I have a buddy coming with me so we will work the gear and lubricate also. I'll let you know how it goes...
 
Sorry, a question not an answer, how do you gain access to fill at the helm? I have a similar problem, just bought the boat and do not see how to gain access to the back side of the helm. Thank you! Karl
 
Strange that you posted this because I had my maiden voyage yesterday and I was struck by how much more steering effort it took compared to my single stern drive Mariah. It was comparable to a couple of manual steering sports cars I had in the 80's. I'll check the fluid level behind the steering wheel this afternoon but it was a bit of a surprise.
 
Check immediately behind the steering wheel on the top side - not behind the helm. There should be a small threaded cap that you remove to check the fluid level or add more.
 
When we purchased our '02 four years ago we noticed the steering was very tight as well. The dealer's service manager was with us and advised it was salt build up in the rudder packings as boat was not used very much. He told us he would clean it out. He may have hauled the boat to do this, but whatever he did, we have not had the problem since.

Ray
 
Well, I brought her out but first topped off the fluid...it didn't take much. We were running a bit late so I didn't have a chance to try and lube the gear. I hope there isn't a Sea Ray issue and there is a defect in the steering system!

I' look into the booster very soon. I brought my buddy out for his birthday with our wives today. It was nice enough for them to lay on the top of the cabin in bikinis! The fish didn't bother us or many others. We have a week of rain coming then we should be golden.

On a personal note we attended a dear friend's Celebration of Life this evening and on Thursday I will be taking my family out to spread the ashes of my Mother. I am hoping I plan this well and provide the ultimate resting place for my Mom who loved to boat & fish.
 
sfergson727 said:
Keep in mind that you don't have power steering per say, just that little pump at the helm, thus your steering forces are going to be much greater than what is encountered on a stern drive boat. Especially at higher speeds, where making a sharp 360 degree full hardover turn requires two hands for a weakling like myself.

You will get used to it after a while, or if it really bothers you, Teleflex makes a inline booster that you can fit to the boat for a grand or so. http://www.teleflexmarine.com/homepagePDFs/Seastar-PA.pdf

Congrats on getting on the water, I'm still high and dry for another week, with a tenative launch date of April 5th.
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It didn't really bother me it was just a surprise compared to my previous two boats. If this is how steering is on a twin screw boat so be it but thanks for the sanity check.
 
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