Steering is too hard!

jigsaw27

Recruit
Joined
Aug 3, 2011
Messages
4
I just purchased an 03' Bayliner 185 and it is extremely difficult to turn left and even more difficult to turn right. I do not think it should be that difficult to turn the boat. I've noticed that the bottom fin of the motor is bent a little to the right and that may be the reason for it being even more difficult to turn it to the right but the dealer told me that it is just the type of boat that makes it difficult. I have read something about greasing the lines but I am unsure what that means and if that will even help me out at all. Any suggestions?
 
Joined
Dec 12, 2010
Messages
1,179
Re: Steering is too hard!

is is it a i/o? if it is and it has a teliflex steering that's your problem and you have to live with it. my neibhor has a bayliner 24' boat and it's hard to steer but that's just how it is
 

RogersJetboat454

Commander
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Messages
2,964
Re: Steering is too hard!

is is it a i/o? if it is and it has a teliflex steering that's your problem and you have to live with it. my neibhor has a bayliner 24' boat and it's hard to steer but that's just how it is

Really? I can steer my 35 year old Teleflex steering with one finger :rolleyes:.

Jigsaw, What do you have for power, I/O or outboard? This may just be as simple as greasing up the pivot's on the drive/outboard, or an adjustment on the pre-tension of the steering wheel.

Sounds like your skeg may be a little bent. Post a picture of it so we can see what you have.
 
Joined
Dec 12, 2010
Messages
1,179
Re: Steering is too hard!

ok i am just saying what i was told. he has an i/o and he's greased it and it's har to turn
 

Andy'sDelight

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 5, 2010
Messages
341
Re: Steering is too hard!

Is it difficult to steer under power only, or all the time?
 

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,544
Re: Steering is too hard!

If it is difficult to steer even at rest, with engine off obviously, disconnect engine from cable. Move engine/outdrive back and forth and move cable back and forth.
which is stiff? If engine, on OB grease pivot shaft, if inboard don't remember....it may have zerks on pivot shaft too.

If the cable, may need to get a new one. Teleflex is still in business and are great to work with.
They tell you where to find the part number for your existing cable.

Mark
 

jigsaw27

Recruit
Joined
Aug 3, 2011
Messages
4
Re: Steering is too hard!

It is an I/O motor and it tough to steer pretty much the whole time. When I have it full throttle it's not too bad. I have not done anything to try and fix it yet. I will post a picture of the bottom of fin of the motor later today.
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Steering is too hard!

is is it a i/o? if it is and it has a teliflex steering that's your problem and you have to live with it. my neibhor has a bayliner 24' boat and it's hard to steer but that's just how it is

You are NOT qualified to give out advice. Please refrain from doing so in the future. I swear if I hear one more time about stuff "your neighbor" did, I'm gonna.......
 

jigsaw27

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Joined
Aug 3, 2011
Messages
4
Re: Steering is too hard!

I moved the engine around and it is tough to even push it when it is outside of the water and I am not weak by any means. If I were to grease the lines would that do that trick and how would I do that? I also notice that the steering grease was low, could that be the issue for the difficult steering? I have also attached a photo of the back of the boat to show the bent part of the motor.
 

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Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,468
Re: Steering is too hard!

I moved the engine around and it is tough to even push it when it is outside of the water and I am not weak by any means. If I were to grease the lines would that do that trick and how would I do that? I also notice that the steering grease was low, could that be the issue for the difficult steering? I have also attached a photo of the back of the boat to show the bent part of the motor.

Ayuh,... Remove the cable from the aluminum tube at the transom, 'n clean the corrosion outa it, 'n Grease it up good...
 

rbh

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
7,939
Re: Steering is too hard!

Ayuh,... Remove the cable from the aluminum tube at the transom, 'n clean the corrosion outa it, 'n Grease it up good...


And after you do that check the tension on the power stearing belt and make sure the pumps reservoir has enough fluid.

By the way you did'nt hit something so hard you could have bent the swivel shaft, did ya????
 

jigsaw27

Recruit
Joined
Aug 3, 2011
Messages
4
Re: Steering is too hard!

I just bought it a week ago and I have not hit anything, it could be bent but I have no idea. The way it looks is the way I bought it.
 

americaneagler77

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 15, 2011
Messages
231
Re: Steering is too hard!

that mild bend in the skeg would not make it HARD to steer by any means.......
 
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