Hard steering on 190SD, suggestions for cure, most appreciated!

[Jim Coady]

My wife and I finally got a chance to take our “new to us” boat out for a lake test at our local lake, today. Boat performed admirably for its age, plenty of get up and go. One problem we noticed is the steering is rather stiff in both directions. This is first boat Ive owned since an early 1970 AMF Slickcraft with a 70 hp Evinrude. Looking at the parts manual for this boat, seems as if there is a steering cable from steering wheel going aft. Is this the probable cause of my sluggish steering? What steps do I take to check to see if this is the problem? If this cable is the culprit, are there any dealers that support this forum, with which I could order the correct part?

Second minor issue I noticed, is the depth finder does not appear to be very accurate. Probably not a surprise, as it is on a 20 year old boat, and appears to be original. Where to start with this troubleshooting, the transducer or the display? If the transducer needs replaced, how is that done? I’m not opposed to replacing what is needed, as I really would like for the depth finder to have a fairly high degree of accuracy, as a few lakes I plan on frequently have some shallow water areas. Thanks for any and all advice, you care to supply.
Jim

 

[Strecker25]

Likely the cable. They’re not serviceable but some guys shoot oil down them to try. I’d replace it, look up the parts manual on SR’s site and it’ll show the length.

I did ours on the last boat and it went from hard to turn with two hands to single finger operation. Easy job aside from Fiberglass in your arms while running the new one

 

[Jim Coady]

In manual it says part#1091834 steering,back MNT Rack/cable 14.0’ assy. So, Im guessing 14’ cable? Where do I source the part?thanks
Jim

 

[Strecker25]

In manual it says part#1091834 steering,back MNT Rack/cable 14.0’ assy. So, Im guessing 14’ cable? Where do I source the part?thanks
Jim

its likely a seastar or teleflex, but get a look at the rack under your steering wheel to see what it looks like and measure it before you order. There are a couple styles and they have different bolt patterns and gear sizes.

example:
https://www.wholesalemarine.com/tel...fK5oZBFMIWQ0IdkSaJ1Gh86JGI5uOhGsaAq0FEALw_wcB

 

[Jim Coady]

Thanks, I’ll try and take a look tomorrow

 

[Golfman25]

When you take the cable out pull a rope thru so you can pull the new cable back thru.

 

[Jim Coady]

Yep, that’s a good idea. I had read that earlier, somewhere, and was hoping to remember.

 

[Jim Coady]

its likely a seastar or teleflex, but get a look at the rack under your steering wheel to see what it looks like and measure it before you order. There are a couple styles and they have different bolt patterns and gear sizes.

example:
https://www.wholesalemarine.com/tel...fK5oZBFMIWQ0IdkSaJ1Gh86JGI5uOhGsaAq0FEALw_wcB

I had a chance to take a look, I could read Teleflex on the cable, but man oh man, I dont know how you guys replace that! Im thinking I could maneuver myself enough, lying on my side to reach the bolts and remove, but on the other end, that looks like the problem to me. It would help if a person was about 5'2" and weighed about 150#'s, then you could crawl all the way in compartment and get to steering wheel, the other end, still not sure? On a related note, as I was trying to figure out how to get to the aft portion of the cable, I happened to think I didnt ever check the power steering fluid. Motor Oil I checked and trim and gear lube resevoirs are easy to see. Anyway, checked the PS fluid resevoir and there may have been a drop or two on it, but sure not up to even the cold level. So, hoping that may have been my issure, instead of the cable. Ill need to pick me up some PS fluid this week and see if that helps.
Jim

 

[Jim Coady]

Can anyone tell me what power steering fluid is required? Ive read online many different answers from ATF, Any automotive power steering fluid, to only Mercruiser Power Trim/Steering fluid? Its odd that this resevoir was empty, as I didnt notice any leaks, but, guess if it was empty, there wouldnt be any leaks to find? This boat was a one owner boat, which I found kind of odd until I seen the original title of origin from manufacturer, same name as the person who sold me the boat. Also odd that he only put 147 hours on the boat in 19 years of ownership?
Anyway, need to put the appropriate PS fluid in, and start checking for leaks.
Thanks,
Jim

 

[Strecker25]

Can anyone tell me what power steering fluid is required? Ive read online many different answers from ATF, Any automotive power steering fluid, to only Mercruiser Power Trim/Steering fluid? Its odd that this resevoir was empty, as I didnt notice any leaks, but, guess if it was empty, there wouldnt be any leaks to find? This boat was a one owner boat, which I found kind of odd until I seen the original title of origin from manufacturer, same name as the person who sold me the boat. Also odd that he only put 147 hours on the boat in 19 years of ownership?
Anyway, need to put the appropriate PS fluid in, and start checking for leaks.
Thanks,
Jim

stick with Merc PS/trim fluid if you can.

chances are it did leak out at some point. The likely spot is at the power steering cooler. It’s behind the distributor towards the transom wall. The flare fittings loosened up on ours and leaked slowly. Check there first once you fill it back up.

 

[Jim Coady]

stick with Merc PS/trim fluid if you can.

chances are it did leak out at some point. The likely spot is at the power steering cooler. It’s behind the distributor towards the transom wall. The flare fittings loosened up on ours and leaked slowly. Check there first once you fill it back up.

Thanks, will do. I found some Merc PS/trim fluid, back in a tray by the trim canister. Jim

 

[Jim Coady]

stick with Merc PS/trim fluid if you can.

chances are it did leak out at some point. The likely spot is at the power steering cooler. It’s behind the distributor towards the transom wall. The flare fittings loosened up on ours and leaked slowly. Check there first once you fill it back up.

I put some atf in resevoir and supplied water to transom, started motor and ran steering wheer back and forth for a bit, then checked fluid, it was low so added some. Run it some more, and fluid level seemed to stay the same. Checked for leaks, as best I could, and none were able to be located(at least by me).
Fast forward to last weekend, we took the boat to a larger lake and boated all afternoon. When we returned home, I checked fluid levels and there was just a "drop" in the PS resevoir. Since it has been rainy, and I cant get crops planted, I had yesterday to look for my PS leak. I did as before, topped off the PS resevoir, rotated the steering wheel several times, checked level again, added a bit more fluid, and again rotated steeting wheel. The shut engine off. After cool down, I checked around the PS pump, could feel or see no leak around hoses on bottom side, verified by taking pictures with my phone. Then tried to trace down the hoses going towards back of motor, with limited success. I may have been able to lay on top of motor and look behind, when I was about 10 yrs old(Im guessing), but sure not able to do so now. I was afraid I would break some fittings off around the air filter, so didt pursue it further. Even had a big quilt to lay on, to no avail. I was able to reach far enough down to take several still and video pictures with my cell phone, but after examining, could see no noticeble leaks(but Im sure I could not see all the hose connections I was searching for). Any suggestions, would be greatly appreciated. Im used to handling tools on the farm, so thats not strange to me, Even crawling into cramped spaces like inside combines, Ive done. But, trying to lay atop a motor without fear of damage, to look for something unfamiliar to me, is something else. Thanks for any and all input.
Jim

 

[Shaps]

Why not try some leak detection dye?
Napa, AC Delco, etc

 

[Jim Coady]

Why not try some leak detection dye?
Napa, AC Delco, etc

Might work, but as I was using ATF, you would think it would show up, somewhere. My son and I just looked at it, and he was able to shimmy back in a little further than me and could see the PS hoses and cylinder, and although not running, I thought rotating the steering wheel would help, but as I did that several times, he said he couldnt see any leaks, or drips. Now he wasnt close enough to physically run his hands on the connections, but the best he could do. I wander how the boat techs get back in there to physically put there hands on the problem?
We did see some oil of some kind, on the floor, towards front, where bilge pump is located, but wasnt really red. Two big hoses running underneath the pulleys at front of motor, he ran his hands down and they were a little oily/dirty, dont know what from, and dont know where those hoses went or what they were for. Thought Id come home and do some more reading.

 

[Strecker25]

wrapping stuff in a rag or towel can help ID where the leak is, BUT....

If you're not seeing any drips (a quart of ATF would sure show up somewhere) you might have a hole in the power steering cooler. The next step is to pull it off and pressure test it. Looks like you're in fresh water so it's not super common, but if it leaking out of the cooler its just dumping into the lake, or your driveway if you're on muffs. You might see a slick if you look closely at the cooling water coming out of the exhaust but it'll be very diluted at that point

 

[Jim Coady]

wrapping stuff in a rag or towel can help ID where the leak is, BUT....

If you're not seeing any drips (a quart of ATF would sure show up somewhere) you might have a hole in the power steering cooler. The next step is to pull it off and pressure test it. Looks like you're in fresh water so it's not super common, but if it leaking out of the cooler its just dumping into the lake, or your driveway if you're on muffs. You might see a slick if you look closely at the cooling water coming out of the exhaust but it'll be very diluted at that point

I had the same thought about the cooler, if it fluid was leaking inside, it would be carried out with the water. But, there again, accessability, is the main problem. I had also thought where the exhaust hoses exit out the back, looks like I could take the cover off by removing a few screws, then I could disconnect a hose or two, and at least might be able to see more? Still thinking that approach over a bit, and reading to see what I can discover. I contacted a boat service center my brother in law uses, so thought I would check to see when I might possibly bring the boat in, Im scheduled for July 6. So unless I can discover the problem on my own, Ill just putting in ATF to get me by till then. If it ever dries up in my area, I can probably stay busy for 3 weeks planting crops, so wont have time to think about boating.