Stiff Steering

[exeasterner]

My 1992 Sea Ray 350 EB has very hard steering. Repacked rudder shafts with no appreciable improvement. Disconnected steering cable at rudder tie bar and steering wheel moved freely. Can't find any fittings to grease rudder shaft internals. Could it be some type of sleeve bearing problem or a bent rudder shaft? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sbw1]

The steering on my 93 37 SR was stiff. I've not owned that boat for several years but if memory serves, there was a zerk fitting at the left (looking aft) end of the ram tube that could be lubed. Each year I would also clean the steering rod to the rudders with WD40 and then smear it with a green lube from a squeeze tube that my mechainic recommended. It was a Merc product for outdrives. My system was rack and pinion I believe and was never what you call smooth like a hydraulic system. While stiff, it was ok.

 

[exeasterner]

Thanks for the reply SBW. I didn't see any zerk fittings that I could grease. But I will have to take a closer look to make sure though. I'm thinking I will pull rudder shafts, clean them up and lube while boat is in storage this winter. Thanks Again