Power steering issue...Goes full right..

[BajabossJD]

Hey Guys,

I just had a 496 Stroker put in my boat. It took forever..but it's running now.

I am having a issue with my power steering. It goes full right when engine on...With engine off..after purging air and topping off with Fluid.. It feels perfect.

As soon as I start the engine..the drive goes full right and it takes two hands and motivation to keep it straight / turn it left. As soon as I let go of the wheel..FULL right again.

Does this on the trailer and in the water. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[littlerayray]

Sounds like the pump has an open Valve or hoses aren't hooked up properly

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Are the wrench flats on the spool valve perfectly vertical,..??

 

[alldodge]

Hey Guys,

I just had a 496 Stroker put in my boat. It took forever..but it's running now.

I am having a issue with my power steering. It goes full right when engine on...With engine off..after purging air and topping off with Fluid.. It feels perfect.

As soon as I start the engine..the drive goes full right and it takes two hands and motivation to keep it straight / turn it left. As soon as I let go of the wheel..FULL right again.

Does this on the trailer and in the water. Any ideas?

Thanks,
Joe

Sounds to me that someone didn't install the steering ram cable correctly.
I would suggest removing the steering cable nut and cable. Make sure the flats on the cylinder are straight up and down. Install the cable and tighten the nut while keeping the flats held securely. Have wheel and drive in center position.

 

[BajabossJD]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I know we didn't remove the ram when did pulled/ installed the engine. The wrench marks may have gotten bumped. I will check that in the morning, The HP line is screwed into pump (smaller hex on the ram).. the return line has been mended with a barb (no leaks.... larger mercruiser fitting on the ram is tight). The mechanic gave me another pump to try. The first time out after the new engine..I did have milky water in the reservoir..but the steering was fine. I flushed all that out..Now full right... I will check things out tomorrow. Thanks, Joe

 

[Bondo]

I did have milky water in the reservoir..but the steering was fine.

Ayuh,.... Sounds like a freeze busted P/S Cooler,....

 

[BajabossJD]

The water was from all the rain that got into the rack..the holes were left uncovered. The PS cooler I think is fine.

I put a different pump in today and the same thing happened. Full right. I'm guess the rack is shot.. I can hear gurgling and hissing with engine off. Coming from the rack.. Not sure if I heard that before when things were working correctly.

Joe

 

[mr300z87]

Let me first say that i am not and expert. On my first outing this year after a doing a steering upgrade to the newer style ram I had no power steering. After replacing the ram with the one from my project boat I took the no functioning ram home for further investigation. Here is what I found, the ram is actuated by the initial movement of the cable. The valves is in the larger diameter section of the ram. In my case the valve was stuck in the center/closed which was the cause of no power assist. Is it possible your ram is stuck in the open position causing it to turn right and fighting the hydraulic cylinder turning the other direction. Even though Mercury says the ram is not serviceable if was very simple to take apart clean and re assemble. Here is a link to my thread showing dis-assembly http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...-engines-outdrives/9977268-no-powers-steering. Good luck

 

[BajabossJD]

Thanks for all your help. Sure enough Rack was bad. You were spot on with the stuck valve internally.

I found a new rack for $120 locally. I had it installed in 30 min (thank goodness we took out the Y-pipe during engine swap...made things easy). Smooth as can be now.

Thanks again,
Joe

 

[littlerayray]

Glad we could help