Steering issue

32carv

32carv

Well-known member
Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2006
RO Number
24150
Messages
1,309
I have 2006 Monterey 298SS with twin Volvo motors and outdrives. When I bought it a couple of years ago, the steering felt “jerky". The wheel did not feel smooth when I turned at slow speeds. Most concerning was the fact I couldn't turn it all with the motor with power steering pump off. Not a problem usually but if I lose that motor some reason, I can't get home on the other motor.

Near the end of last year we replaced the cable and the helm. Most of the “jerky" feeling went away but it still won't steer without the power steering. Any ideas what to look at next?
Jim
 
I would have sworn air bubbles in the hydraulics, until you mentioned cables. That’s a lot of boat for cable steering.
 
But power steering...what kind of steering system do you actually have? I’m assuming the cables you mentioned are hydraulic hoses? You need to purge them, and if the problem comes back, find the leak.
 
It has a cable, here is a description out of the shop manual:

“With power-assisted systems, the helm unit transfers rotary motion of the steering wheel to linear motion which pushes or pulls a cable. The cable movement is sensed and a signal is sent to a hydraulic pump which moves the hydraulic cylinder attached to the steering arm.”

Jim
 
If there is some remaining excess "jerkiness", you may need to fill and purge air from the pump and ram.

Unless you have figured a way to disconnect the cable from the (potentially failed) P/S pump , disconnect the pump ram from the drive, and connect the secured cable to the drive, I don't see how you could steer it if the pump goes out. ( Because it is the last link, not a hydraulic bypass assist. )

That said, I wonder if the pump could possibly have a failsafe feature like an external screw opening an internal bypass for difficult but serviceable "get-home" steering?

Do you have tow service on the lake?
 
Here's the basic description of Jim's steering setup:
"Twin Engine Hydraulic Assist Steering
Boats powered with twin engines and no joystick
control are equipped with a power assisted, cable
steering system that uses a hydraulic pump driven
by one of the engines to provide the “POWER” for
the power steering system. Turning the steering
wheel moves the gears in the helm, pushing or pulling the cable assembly and turning the outdrives.
An engine driven power hydraulic steering pump
and cylinder assist the cable steering and reduces
the effort required to turn the boat.
An oil reservoir near the engine hydraulic pump
allows for easy system fluid check and fill. It is
important that the fluid level in the reservoir be
checked frequently and maintained at or near the
maximum level. Only use hydraulic fluid recommended by the engine manufacturer.
The outdrives are coupled together at the tiller
arms by a tie bar. Mercruiser drives are typically
set parallel and Volvo drives are toed in 1/2” at the
aft end of the cavitation plates to provide maximum
stability on straight ahead runs and proper tracking through corners. Outdrive or steering system
damage may require the outdrives to be realigned."

( from p. 61 of the Monterey Owner's Manual:
https://www.montereyboats.com/zuplo...200-06-MANU-275-295SY-Rev-1--2-06-2017211.pdf )
 
You should be able to add hydraulic helm. Not cheap but a great improvement in steering.

Padraig
 
My local backyard mechanic boat hero guy is suggesting that it could be the “collar steer fork bushings” are the issue. Not sure what that is, nor am I sure he knows what he is talking about.
Jim
 
I would decouple the steering from the outdrives and see if the outdrives swing all the way from left to right with no binding. If there is binding then you need to be looking at the gimbal bearings in the transom assembly. If there is no binding then the problem is further "up stream".

There is a connection where the steering tie rod attaches to the transom assembly - maybe that is what your local guy is talking about. It could bind up there.

Here is a diagram of the transom assembly:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sou...aw2Lt2NNMnExte_YO9QYC8Ka&ust=1553612484183708
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top