Rack and pinion steering adjustment for steering wheel?

DunbarLtd

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 8, 2016
Messages
335
I am not sure if this is relevant to this forum but my boat make and model commonly had the Force outboards.

I have a late 80s Bayliner Capri 1700 that has a "rack and pinion" steering. I guess thats what its called. Its definitely not cable driven.

My problem, although tolerable and mostly just an annoyance, is that after I adjusted the exhaust snout "trim tab" in order for the boat to track straight while on plane - the steering wheel is no longer centered.

Is there any way to adjust the centering of the wheel? Id rather it be centered while on plane. Im assuming it will then be off center at all other speeds which is fine.

Has anyone else dealt with this and what did you do about it?
 

jerryjerry05

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 7, 2008
Messages
17,923
The "rack/pinion" is adjustable.
Under the dash is 4 bolts holding the rack and cable together.
You can loosen, don't remove the 4 bolts and drop the rack and reset the wheel to the right spot.
Then retighten the 4 and go boating!!
 

jimmbo

Supreme Mariner
Joined
May 24, 2004
Messages
12,944
Odds are the wheel will not longer be centered when you adjust the power trim. If the steering wheels came with about 7 spokes, no one would even think of the wheel being centered
 
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