Sea Ray 220 BR ( 2002 ) - Power Steering is very stiff.

[jitan2004]

Hi everyone, my Sea Ray 220 BR power steering is very stiff. Can anyone please help? What should I do?

I have done following:

1. Check the fluid and seems full.
2. I have also disconnected the cable by taking the pin out from end of the cable. Then tested the steering without the engine on and seem still stiff. At this point I am assuming it is only the cable I am turning with steering.

So, my assumption is that steering cable is not good since nothing is connected to the cable. But not sure since I don't know how the cable system work on this boat or any boat since I am a newbie to boat .

I am looking for a repair manual for this boat to understand how to check this issue. Please help!!

This boat has 5.0L engine with Alpha drive. It is Sea Ray 220 BR model and year is 2002.

Thank you!

 

[Don S]

Re: Sea Ray 220 BR ( 2002 ) - Power Steering is very stiff.

Your problem is probably the steering cable is frozen inside the power steering cylinder. Disconnect the big nut that holds the cable to the PS cylinder and see if you can move turn the wheel easier.

Do you boat in salt water?

 

[jitan2004]

Re: Sea Ray 220 BR ( 2002 ) - Power Steering is very stiff.

Hi, it is a fresh water boat for about 4-5 years. I did remove the pin that connects to the hydraulic and turn the steering but still stiff.
I was not sure how the cable is connected to the rod that is inside PS Cylinder so was afraid to disconnect the big nut. So, I was trying to get the repair manual to understand how the cable connect to the rod that is passing thru inside the PS housing and how power steering hydraulic works before I take the big nut out.
I also saw in utub, the rod is part of the cable. So, if the cable is just slide inside the PS housing then how does the power steering work .

Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Sea Ray 220 BR ( 2002 ) - Power Steering is very stiff.

See if this helps.

 

[jitan2004]

Re: Sea Ray 220 BR ( 2002 ) - Power Steering is very stiff.

Hi Don, thanks for the pic. It helps. It looks exactly like it. I did remove the cotter pin c to free the rod and turn the steering but still the same . That was before you send me the pic. I am not tring to disconnect the g. Once g is disconnected can I then pull out the cable? Do I need something special to pull the cable out?

Currently the is a big black metal pipe that connects to the engine with rubber hoses is in the way of the g nut. I am not sure what it is. Can I disconnect the hose and remove the pipe? There are two of those one of each side of the engine. What are they for? Is it safe to remove near g nut to disconnect g nut?

I was wondering if that is an exhaust. They are about 4" wide.

Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Sea Ray 220 BR ( 2002 ) - Power Steering is very stiff.

Once g is disconnected can I then pull out the cable? Do I need something special to pull the cable out?

It SHOULD pull out easily, but if it's frozen, you can take a wooden dowel rod (1/2" or 5/8") on the cable end and knock it out with a hammer.

 

[jitan2004]

Re: Sea Ray 220 BR ( 2002 ) - Power Steering is very stiff.

Don, thanks for your help and quick respond. One last question.
The big 4" pipe near the nut. Is that an exhaust? There are two of them one on each side of the engine. I need to remove one near the nut to get to the nut. Just want to make sure before I remove it. Do I need any special material to put it back on to seal it beside the clamp?

Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Sea Ray 220 BR ( 2002 ) - Power Steering is very stiff.

Normally, you can remove the clamps, then with a screwdriver loosen the lower exhaust hose from the elbow and Y pipe,spray some lube (WD40) between the hose and the Ypipe and slide it down, then you can pull the elbow off the exhaust riser.

 

[jitan2004]

Re: Sea Ray 220 BR ( 2002 ) - Power Steering is very stiff.

Hi Don, thanks for the pic. Finally I was able to push the lower hose down like u described above and get the elbow out. Now I am trying to remove the g (coupler) nut. I see that the cable guide will spins with the nut.
So, should I use lock grip to hold the cable guide while i unscrew the g nut? Is there a better way to undo the g nut?

Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Sea Ray 220 BR ( 2002 ) - Power Steering is very stiff.

There should be 2 flat on the tube you put an open end wrench on, DO NOT use locking pliars.