Hard to steer in one direction with Tiller style motor.

[mikmic2]

Hello,<br /> Problems are a plenty with my 1986 35hp Force. Since this is a new problem, I thought I would start a new thread in case anybody else has the same problem. <br /><br />My pivot shaft or whatever that has the grease zerk, was greased until I seen it coming out on top and bottom. It does seem a little snug when turning back and forth out of the water, but not very bad. I would grease it, turn it back and forth, then grease it some more and turn it back and forth, then wipe off all the extra grease coming out of both ends, so I believe I have it greased good enough.<br /><br />But when I am in the water over anything faster then about 50% throttle It is very very hard to turn the boat to the left, which means I am trying to turn the motor to the right. I can turn the boat to the right fairly easily. I looked and of course my motor does not have a trim tab that you can adjust. All it has is a exhaust snout that is not adjustable. I did notice my prop seems to have one blade bent back slightly on the last two inches or so. Do you suppose this could cause it?<br /><br />If I was to get a cupped prop, would that cause it to be easier to steer in both directions?<br /><br />I am leaning this direction but don't know. The fact that I can turn it the one direction and not the other has me believing that is the problem. Along with the fact it seems it torques the motor so hard one way, that the throttle shaft that runs through the motor starts rubbing on the side of the bottom shroud. So I have to believe that the prop is causing this. <br /><br />Does anybody have any suggestions, as to what it might be? Or perhaps just give me a little support to justify purchasing a new prop, possibly a cupped prop, if that makes it easier to steer the boat to the left.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Hard to steer in one direction with Tiller style motor.

Ok, I'll give you a little support, even though I am at a loss to the cause of your problem.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Hard to steer in one direction with Tiller style motor.

let us assume that you have checked the steering cable for proper operation in both directions and that you have checked for any obstructions.<br /><br />It could be that the engine pull acts like power steering in one direction and fights against you in the other. If your steering is stiff in idle then this effect could be enough to make left turns difficult and right turns bearable. check your anode. If this is your problem then it will probably look pretty bad. You also want to remove your cowl and look for the top of pivot shaft. Make sure that it does not rotate as you turn the engine. If it does then you are wallowing out the motor mounts.<br /><br />If you operate your boat in salt water then you have to keep on top of your swivel pin. The pin is steel and the housing is aluminum. Because of the large size of the swivel pin it is a significant instance of galvanic corrosion. The "fix" is to replace the steel swivel pin with a piece of industrial solid round bar made from an aluminum 1100 alloy. However, I am not familiar with your engine. If your swivel shaft is small in diameter then aluminum may not be strong enough. Once you have an aluminum to aluminum joint the problem is permanently solved. A much easier fix is to grease, flush, and clean religously. Keep your anode in top condition. and never let the boat sit too long without moving the steering wheel. You also need to keep an eye on the driveshaft, trim shaft, and hyraulic lines.<br /><br />If you are a freshwater boat with good anodes then this isn't a very common problem at all.

 

[mikmic2]

Re: Hard to steer in one direction with Tiller style motor.

Thanks Ritt. I do not have a steering wheel. It has a tiller handle for steering. Yes it is a little snug at a stand still, but not that bad. I didn't think you wanted it to loose as if you let go of it accidently it might throw you out of the boat.<br /><br />I also am in Wisconsin, so I see no saltwater. <br /><br />What is a anode?<br /><br />I think I am just about at the point of disassembling the thing, cleaning it up, then greasing it back up and reassembling. But there is still a HUGE difference between steering to the right as compared to steering to the left. I thought I read somewhere that a cupped prop would solve that issue. <br /><br />At this point, I'm afraid If I clean the thing up and put it back together, then the motor will want to fly to the left, which turns the boat to the right, and I will have to hold it hard that way, as the difference between left and right is pretty extreme. <br /><br />Actually I think I have two problems. But if I fix the one, I will make my other problem worse. Right now, I can get to where I want to go, with extreme shoulder pain. LOL<br /><br />Also I can't turn the boat to the left unless I slow down, or I feel like I will snap my tiller handle off. But the boat turns to the right easy enough that it is acceptable to me. <br /><br />Can you now see the difference? <br /><br />I will post my problem on the prop forum as well, because I think I have two problems here.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Hard to steer in one direction with Tiller style motor.

Billy, now that you say it turns easier to the left if you slow down, I think you are onto something with the prop change.<br />Some props do create more right torque steer, but I don't know that much about different props to recommend one.<br /><br />non adjustable exhaust snout? bummer.<br /><br />They make torque tabs that you bolt onto the right side of the skeg. I bought one a few years ago but never used it.<br /><br />Here is what they look like.<br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg..._id=217150&list_time=1148450348&view_id=40109 <br /><br />

 

[mikmic2]

Re: Hard to steer in one direction with Tiller style motor.

Thanks Roscoe, that thing looks interesting. I wonder how long it is? Wait, do you still have it? Hint...Hint... LOL<br /><br />Is it adjustable? Or if it turns it to hard, I wonder if you just whack a little more off. On my engine, I probably won't have to worry about it turning it to hard, but rather might have to run two of them. Maybe I can just twist my skeg a good one. <br /><br />Because my engine is only a 35hp, I might have to cut the thing down. <br /><br />I still want to investigate this prop issue more. I might end up doing a prop, plus that, as this thing is mean. I think my right shoulder is getting buffed. I might have to start working out my left arm more, so they match. LOL<br /><br />Is Roscoe your real first name? The only Roscoe I knew was Roscoe P. Coltrane, from the Dukes of Hazzard. <br /><br />I think I knew a dog named Roscoe too.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Hard to steer in one direction with Tiller style motor.

roscoe is the name of my pet cockatoo (parrot).<br />Its the first name I thought of when I signed up here on iboats.<br /><br />If I remember correctly, the tab is approx 5 inches long.<br />It is out in the shed, I think, will check tomorrow if I have time.<br /><br />Dad blew the engine in his van yesterday and I have to take him shopping for a new one, and work my 12 hour shift at work.<br /><br />Drop me an email if you want. hint<br /><br />roscoe33@mac.com<br /><br />Your skeg doesn't already have a twist in it, does it?

 

[mikmic2]

Re: Hard to steer in one direction with Tiller style motor.

Well, we've finally got a easily steerable boat in both directions.<br /><br /><br />The main thing I believe was at the bottom of the steering pin, on the leg are 4 bolts. Two that go all the way from one side to the other. Well it was missing one, and the other one was loose, so the leg wasn't clamped tight to the pin that goes through the transom bracket. There was also two other bolts down there that were quite loose, as well. I think that was also causing the throttle linkage rubbing on the cowling, at higher throttle, as the whole leg was twisting.<br /><br />The second thing I did, was raise the motor 2 1/4 inches. <br /><br />The last thing was a friction plate or whatever you call it. It is an adjustable tension for the steering. It is almost like a half moon brake shoe, and you adjust the bolt which takes care of pad pressure. I didn't see it because it is underneath the cowling right tight to the transom bracket, but you really have to look for it.<br /><br />What I think was happening, was because the leg wasn't attached to the pin real tight, when you gave it throttle, the motor was twisting on that bottom mount, causing the engine to rub on that adjustable friction plate harder. This way if you tried to steer the boat to the left, it caused more pressure on that plate. But when you were turning right, the pad was going down hill, so to speak. It was actually getting tighter the more you tried to steer to the left, while under half or more throttle. <br /><br />Bottom line is, now that I did all that, I can actually veer back and forth with relative ease. <br /><br />I guess I didn't think of looking for loose bolts, as my problem was tight steering. Who would of thunk loose bolts? Not me. LOL<br /><br />So, I guess it wasn't a prop problem after all. I will post this on the prop thread I started as well. <br /><br />Thanks roscoe and rit.