2004 Sundancer 260 steering problem

[jamiemac]

Mercruiser 350 Bravo 3 with power assist steering . I am new here and not to familiar with how to search threads .
I purchased this boat this summer but I have been boating fo over 30 years .
The steering was Jerky and very stiff to turn either way .
The boat is winterized and not running .
I was fully prepared to switch out steering cable as the likely problem but i have unhooked the steering cable at the clevis and slides very easy in and out .
When I reattach pin it is once again hard to move . I realize that boat is not running but it takes two hands with considerable effort to move wheel .
I had my wife turn wheel while I pushed outdrive and it turned easy .
I have greased up sterndrive and that didn't help . The pin in the steering arm is free but I did not take pin out yet .
Any help would be appreciated.
Jamie Mackinnon
PEI Canada

 

[jamiemac]

Is this tread in right place . Sorry if it isn't.

 

[radscoot]

You might want to try it in
"General Maintenance/Repair Questions
Anything related to the operation of your boat. Steering, Bilge Pumps, thru-hulls, bottom paint, trailers, electrical questions, whateva"

 

[scoflaw]

So take the pin out that connects the ram to the drive. If the drive swings freely it's the hydraulics that are the problem. Pump or ram.

 

[jamiemac]

Mercruiser 350 Bravo 3 with power assist steering . I am new here and not to familiar with how to search threads .
I purchased this boat this summer but I have been boating fo over 30 years .
The steering was Jerky and very stiff to turn either way .
The boat is winterized and not running .
I was fully prepared to switch out steering cable as the likely problem but i have unhooked the steering cable at the clevis and slides very easy in and out .
When I reattach pin it is once again hard to move . I realize that boat is not running but it takes two hands with considerable effort to move wheel .
I had my wife turn wheel while I pushed outdrive and it turned easy .
I have greased up sterndrive and that didn't help . The pin in the steering arm is free but I did not take pin out yet .
Any help would be appreciated.
Jamie Mackinnon
PEI Canada

 

[jamiemac]

Moved to general maintainance