Siezed Power Steering SeaRay 340

[DavidGB]

I have a 1999 SeaRay 340. We took the boat out for the first time this weekend and discovered that the steer wheel was seized up. Not sure if it is a corroded cable or something else. The steering gearbox is behind both engines. Not only is there no apparent access, but we couldn't even see it. I have out drives; not stern drives.

Does anyone have any advice on how to get to the steering gear box attached to the back of the engine compartment.

 

[340DA]

I am having a similar problem but not as bad as yours. My steering is stiff, I can still steer the boat but it requires more effort to do so. I also have outdrives. My boat is a 2000 340 DA

I spoke to the yard mechanic yesterday. He said that is is likely a cable related issue and not likely to be the power steering pumps.

He said the steering cable goes into a tube/shaft, sometimes that tube that houses the cable gets stiff. He said there is a bolt on that tube/shaft that disconnects the cable form the tube/shaft. If you disconnect that bolt to loosen the cable and then you turn the wheel and if it turns easily, then it's a cable tube/shaft issue. If not, it could be the pump

As you said, the problem is to gain access to that cable/tube/shaft location