Power Steering Is Hard To Steer/ No Assist

[kfrank]

This is our first boat, we bought a 1994 Sea Ray Bowrider 180 Signature series. We love the boat, it runs great, however it is equiped with power steering and it is hard as hell to steer. I have checked the belts, greased all pivot points and the fluid is as it should be. There is NO assistance from the power steering. The power steering pump doesnt make any noise, the belts are fine I just cant figure out what is wroing with it. Am i missing something? If you guys have any advice I would truly appreciate it.

Kenneth
817-781-4908

 

[89 Searay 200BR]

sounds to me like your power steering has failed. i am not sure how to prove this though.

 

[Quint4]

Rule out your steering cable. They can get very stiff over the years. Turn off motor. Remove the pin that connects the cable to the assembly at the transom ( behind the boat motor). Your steering wheel should turn pretty easily if the cable is good. If it is still stiff, replace the cable.

 

[Weave]

+1 on what Quint says
I had the same problem last year on our '92 180. If the cable is in fact stiff, you can take a good barrel cleaning brush and clean out the sleeve that the cable slides in and clean the end of the cable too (looks more like a shaft at the end) and reinstall it. May save you a few bucks for a while and worked for me.

 

[kfrank]

Thanks for the feedback.. So when you are looking at the back of the motor and to the left you see where the steering cable screws onto threads, then to the right a bit you see what looks like a shaft then a pin with a cotter pin. Do I just take that cotter pin out and remove the other pin and then pull out the steering cable shaft and clean that? If this is correct i feel much better cause I can see and feel that that shaft is very dry looking and almost sticky. Also are you suggesting cleaning the cylinder that the steering cable/shaft goes through. Sorry for so many questions I just to make sure I do this right. I appreciate any and all input.

Thanks,
Kenneth
817-781-4908

 

[Weave]

You are right on the money......You have to remove the pin and also unscre the nut on the starboard (left) side where the cable feeds into the tube.........Then you can slide the shaft out of the tube most of the way. I forget whicch way you have to turn the drive either port or starboard but it will retract the shaft making it shorter and easier to clean and pull out.

 

[Quint4]

for starters just remove the pin with the cotter pin in it and see if your wheel turns easily.

 

[kfrank]

I will try that as soon as I get home today! Any advice as to the best way to unscrew the nut on the steering cable before it goes into the cylinder. When I was turning it side to side but it was turning the coupling looking thing. Any suggestions on how to secure that shaft while unscrewing the cable? Thanks again for all of the help!

Kenneth
817-781-4908

 

[Weave]

You identified one of the difficult parts of this task. If I remember correctly, I used a crecent wrench and a pair of channel locks. Be careful as to what you latch onto though

 

[kfrank]

Well after taking out the steering cable and greasing everything, it hasnt chaged at all in fact once steering cable was taken out, I couldnt even move the outdrive at all. I have no idea what to do now. I am about ready to throw my cigarette butt down the gas tank and watch it go up in flames. I greased all pivot points and cleaned the steering shaft. I guess I will take it to a local shop and B.O.A.T... Bust Out Another Thousand!

Kenneth