i JUST PURCHASED A 270 SUNDANCER 1991. THE BOAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN LIFT KEPT. THE STEERING IS HARD TO TURN. IT HAS SOME POWER ASSIST WITH THE STARBORD ENGINE RUNNING BUT IS STILL HARD TO TURN THE WHEEL. I THINK I SHOULD BE ABLE TO SPIN THE WHEEL WITH ONE FINGER WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. ALSO, WHAT IS THE POWER STEERING PUMP USED FOR ON THE PORT ENGINE? IT HAS NO EFFECT ON THE STEERING ON MY BOAT. SHOULD IT?
270 twin 4.3 hard steering 1991 da
- Thread starter ED3550
- Start date
Bob C
Member
- Sep 27, 2009
- 37
- Boat Info
- 1990 Searay 270 Sundancer, interior updated, otherwise totally stock. Not one hole added!!
- Engines
- Twin 4.3's w ith Alpha drives. 4 blade props.
600 hrs, maintained 110%
Hi ED3550,
Yes the steeriing "should spin with one finger".
The PS pump is on the starboard engine, so that engine needs to be running for everything to work. (The port engine does not have a PS pump).
Make sure the pump has fluid.
Pretty basic system, if there is fluid, the pump is turning and there are no leaks but the PS still does not perform start going through the troubleshooting guide in a Chilton's or similar manual.
Good luck.
Yes the steeriing "should spin with one finger".
The PS pump is on the starboard engine, so that engine needs to be running for everything to work. (The port engine does not have a PS pump).
Make sure the pump has fluid.
Pretty basic system, if there is fluid, the pump is turning and there are no leaks but the PS still does not perform start going through the troubleshooting guide in a Chilton's or similar manual.
Good luck.
Last edited:
95290
New Member
Check the steering cables.
tdappleman
Active Member
- Dec 17, 2007
- 1,608
- Boat Info
- 1996 270 Sundancer
- Engines
- New twin 4.3's - 235hp each with Alpha 1 Gen 2 Drives
The power steering pump exists on the port engine since it's a drop in engine and is already installed. It isn't connected to anything but does give you an extra pump in case the starboard one goes out. I keep fresh fluid in mine even though the belt isn't connected so corrosion doesn't start in the reservoir. Check the condition of your fluid - may want to do a fluid exchange and see if the problem still happens. I would also check the belt to ensure it isn't slipping and giving the system reduced pressure. Have you hooked up muffs to the engines while it's up on the lift and tried the steering with the drives out of the water?
Im sorry. When I posted the question I said it was a 1991 270. Its actually a 2001 270 DA. With the engine off, should you be able to rock the steering wheel back and forth 4" with no resistance? It seems to have excessive play. Also, has anyone ever had a steering valve go bad the the cable conects to at the inside transom?
Im sorry. When I posted the question I said it was a 1991 270. Its actually a 2001 270 DA. With the engine off, should you be able to rock the steering wheel back and forth 4" with no resistance? It seems to have excessive play. Also, has anyone ever had a steering valve go bad the the cable conects to at the inside transom?
Hi,
We have the same boat but only single 350, Our stering is also pretty stiff, having looked on here a lot about it, and had an engineer over to the boat for a look, it seems the solution will simply be a new steering cable.
I will be trying various methods to lube the cable until we get a new one on and will report if any of them work but historical wisdom suggests the new cable is the only proper fix.
We have the same boat but only single 350, Our stering is also pretty stiff, having looked on here a lot about it, and had an engineer over to the boat for a look, it seems the solution will simply be a new steering cable.
I will be trying various methods to lube the cable until we get a new one on and will report if any of them work but historical wisdom suggests the new cable is the only proper fix.
i HAVENT FOUND ANYONE THAT IS WILLING TO CHANGE THE CABLE. NO ONE WANTS TO EVEN TRY. THEY ACT LIKE THE BOAT WAS BUILT AROUND THE CABLE. ANY SUGGESTIONS?
