Dumb steering ?

00squirrel

New Member
Apr 16, 2008
50
Knoxville, TN
Boat Info
1998 400 Sedan Bridge
2013 Kawasaki Ultra LX
Engines
454 MPIs
Dumb steering question

All,

We recently purchased a 2002 340 Sundancer with 8.1S v-drives. My old boat was a 240 Sundancer with an I/O. My old boat was really easy to steer (power steering)--about the same as a car with power steering. The new boat with v-drives has the hydraulic steering option but it's pretty hard to turn the wheel at speed. I'm a fairly strong guy and sometimes I need to use two hands to steer the boat. My question is: is this normal or do I have a steering problem? I'm sorry for the dumb question but I don't really have a good basis for comparison as this is my first v-drive boat.
 
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Check the stearing fluid level, there's a small knob right on top of the wheal base. Just unscrew it and see if there's fluid. Other than that it's just a difference between power stearing i/o vs. hydralyc. I had the same thought the first time I drove the boat, but this is normal, providing itls all in working order.
 
Mine is very tough to turn as well and boating on narrow winding rivers sometimes gets exciting! I can't believe it was like that new but maybe I am wrong. My fluid level is fine and I have lubricated any moving parts I could find.
 
Check the stearing fluid level, there's a small knob right on top of the wheal base. Just unscrew it and see if there's fluid. Other than that it's just a difference between power stearing i/o vs. hydralyc. I had the same thought the first time I drove the boat, but this is normal, providing itls all in working order.

Do you fill it to the top??? can't see how much is in there after i unscrew the knob.....:huh:
 
I agree with you too. I am coming from a 27' Rinker with power steering and the 1997 330 is a bit tough to turn at cruising speeds and in a seaway. But yes at low rpm, displacement speeds, its as easy as the I/O. Also I noticed running through a 3' sea that the wheel was pulling in one direction. I could not let go of the wheel or else it would pull hard to starboard. That freaked me out a bit, but once we got into calm water it was fine. Just getting used to inboards I guess... but I love them! No outdrives to deal with!... paint, clean barnacles off of, take off, put on... ahhh inboards. :thumbsup: At least until I have to replace the dripless stuffing boxes anyway.
 
I never noticed the hydraulic steering being that hard to turn. My wife never complains that the helm is hard to turn when she's at the helm. We must be stronger than y'all.


Also I noticed running through a 3' sea that the wheel was pulling in one direction. I could not let go of the wheel or else it would pull hard to starboard.

You have a defective helm pump. The helm pump incorporates check valves that should prevent forces on the rudder from turning the helm.
 
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Do you fill it to the top??? can't see how much is in there after i unscrew the knob.....:huh:

I don't recall what manual says, but I filled mine to the top.
 
I posted an identical thread about steering right after I put the boat in the water and drove it for the first time. The other thing that bugged me is the fancy steering wheel on my 320 is always 90-180 degrees out of alignment as far as the wood portion of the wheel being on top. This is just another quirk that goes with hydraulic steering. As a result I always check my SmartCraft rudder indicator to make sure it's in the 0 position when going out of my slip and when I head into the marina channel for docking.
 
FC3 where is the helm pump located? Also where would I top off my fluid?

Thanks!
 
If after filling it spooges all over everything (under the helm) - after you start turning the wheel - it means you over filled it. My boat has power steering. I drove my friend's Meridian 391 the other day- no power steering, and I was surprised how hard it was was to turn. Bottom line, after driving with PS for a while, anything without it feels really hard.
 
I think my 330 DA has Teleflex mechancial cable steering. I just reviewed my survey and that is what the report said I had for steering... I'm just not sure how the mechanical steering handles with regards to feedback.
 
Do you fill it to the top??? can't see how much is in there after i unscrew the knob.....:huh:

Per the owners manual:


Periodically remove the plug in the helm unit and check
the oil level visually. The oil level should be within 1/2"
(1-1/4 cm) of the filler hole.
The system must be filled with hydraulic oil
meeting Mil Spec H-5606 A​
. Refer to steering system
owner’s information in the owner’s packet for specific
hydraulic oils that can be used.

 
Per the owners manual:


Periodically remove the plug in the helm unit and check
the oil level visually. The oil level should be within 1/2"
(1-1/4 cm) of the filler hole.
The system must be filled with hydraulic oil
meeting Mil Spec H-5606 A​
. Refer to steering system
owner’s information in the owner’s packet for specific
hydraulic oils that can be used.



THANK YOU THANK YOU:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

I have e some Merc -Cruiser trim tab oil aboard .Maybe i can use....:huh:
 
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My 99' 340 Sundancer has no hydraulic or power assist at all. It is very difficult to steer when on plane as others have described above. I'm considering adding the hydraulic steering components to this boat but it sounds like I won't necessarily notice that much difference. It will be fairly expense and a lot of work to install so I'm wondering if it's worth the expense and effort. I purchased this boat last spring so I'm just starting my second season with it.

Thoughts?
 
My 99' 340 Sundancer has no hydraulic or power assist at all. It is very difficult to steer when on plane as others have described above. I'm considering adding the hydraulic steering components to this boat but it sounds like I won't necessarily notice that much difference. It will be fairly expense and a lot of work to install so I'm wondering if it's worth the expense and effort. I purchased this boat last spring so I'm just starting my second season with it.

Thoughts?
I'm new to my 2002 340 DA. As others mentioned, mine steers easily at low speed and like a truck at high speed. In my case the PO added an autopilot. I guess he figured might as well go BIG. Steering is now effortless, aside from programing the course.
 
I have the SeaStar hydraulic steering in my 200OVOB and fluid was low when I purchased it. It was stiff to turn and would "pop" free at times, which I assumed were air bubbles. I purchased hydraulic steering fluid from the marine store, because the hydraulic fluid at big box stores/auto stores does not meet specs. Bleeding the system single handed was difficult, but manageable. I only needed a quart but I don't know how far your cables are routed, how low you are, etc. Link for quart, gallon and fill tube below.

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/seas...MI58Hq6__t2wIV1TqBCh0l5gySEAQYAiABEgJOvfD_BwE

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/seastar-solutions--fill-hose--552620?cm_sp=Onsite-Recs-_-DY-_-PDP

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/seas...-gallon--6551261?cm_sp=Onsite-Recs-_-DY-_-PDP
 

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