Twin Alpha steering tight

Strecker25

Strecker25

Well-Known Member
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Nov 20, 2014
4,917
Rochester, NY
Boat Info
2002 410DA
Engines
Caterpillar 350HP 3126
twin alphas with power steering (5.7’s). No leaks, fluid topped off, etc.

Went in today and steering is much stiffer than when we pulled last year. The only difference I made to the steering path was torquing down the gimbal ring bolts that clamp the steering pin to their 55lb spec. I believe these move with the steering anyways, so I don’t think that would bind anything. It does turn lock to lock with no problem, just takes some force. One other note is I did turn the steering while on the hard without the engines not running so I could access the back of the gimbal ring. Not sure if that can damage anything (I wouldn’t think so judging by how the system is more of a power assist than actual power steering)

I have the maintenance doc for the steering, so I’m going to lube all the service points first. Any other tips before starting to look at the steering cable?
 
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Grease the pivots well and work it back and forth a few times and add some more. You be about covered everything except the cable and rack. You can disconnect the cable from the power unit and turn the wheel to see how much force is needed to check the cable. BTW, is the pump belt tight?
 
SCORPIO said:
Grease the pivots well and work it back and forth a few times and add some more. You be about covered everything except the cable and rack. You can disconnect the cable from the power unit and turn the wheel to see how much force is needed to check the cable. BTW, is the pump belt tight?
Click to expand...

Thanks man. I did see I can disconnect the cable pretty easily to test it disconnected so I’ll do that. Belt is tighf but I’ll double check. I might just swap the cable, they’re not that expensive and there’s a good chance it’s 20 years old
 
See if the rack has a grease fitting, I think mine does. A couple shots of grease won't hurt it either. Don't forget the zerk on the steering unit behind starboard engine.
 
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Low ambient temps can increase the effort required to steer until warmed up if that is a possibility. Thought I had actually lost my power steering the first time I flashed up on a cool morning
 
That’s interesting, I’ll grease it and try and go for a ride this week before I tear it apart. It did sit for 6 months and was like 40* yesterday
 
All of these suggestions will work but if you never took a handful of grease and greased the cable where it passes thru the steering guide tube your starting at the wrong end of the horse
 
Remove the pin at the Red arrow to check the movement of the steering cable. lossening and removing this nut at the blue arrow proves nothing

 
Bt Doctur said:
All of these suggestions will work but if you never took a handful of grease and greased the cable where it passes thru the steering guide tube your starting at the wrong end of the horse
Click to expand...

steering guide tube at the rack/helm side?

I didn't get to play with it much but verify that I don't have zerks on either end of the cable.
 
Bt Doctur said:
Remove the pin at the Red arrow to check the movement of the steering cable. lossening and removing this nut at the blue arrow proves nothing

Click to expand...

Ok I pulled that pin and everything is smooth. Power steering pump suspect next? I read the valve rarely goes bad.
The PS pump whines when there is any pressure applied to the steering wheel in either direction. No fluid loss though.

I have twins and it seems pretty straightforward to just swap the pump from the other side to test, thoughts?
 
Sounds like a good idea, swap the extra pump over and see what happens.
 
Espos4 said:
Sounds like a good idea, swap the extra pump over and see what happens.
Click to expand...

Nothing else to it other than the bracket and two hoses? Seems almost too simple but I know to a self bleeding system so maybe it’s that easy
 
It was the cable. Even though it felt smooth, it wasn’t. It was probably binding under load. Routing the new one wasn’t horrible surprisingly, just need long sleeves so you don’t get glass shards in your arms

One finger operation now. Ignore the squeal, we need a new idler pulley
 
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