1996 4.3 Mercruiser Power Steering Help

[franksb1300]

I am all out of ideas. The steering wheel is still extremely hard to turn and I have done the following in efforts to rectify the issue: Replaced steering actuator and steering pump. I have removed cotter pins and steering wheel turns freely with no effort. I'm able to move the outdrive freely when pins are disconnected. I am trying to avoid taking the boat to the dealer but it may be time for that.

 

[Don S]

Re: 1996 4.3 Mercruiser Power Steering Help

Here is a thread just down from yours that is probably the same problem.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=385385

 

[franksb1300]

Re: 1996 4.3 Mercruiser Power Steering Help

The steering cable turns freely when not conected to the actuator. Could the cable be in a bind when attached to the actuator, not allowing it to ride back and forth to activate the actuator? The cable is very cramp when connected.

 

[Don S]

Re: 1996 4.3 Mercruiser Power Steering Help

Actually, I put the wrong picture in the other post.
This on shows where the corrosion and the binding takes place.
Just pull the cable out and clean the tube. lube it up and you should be good to go.

 

[franksb1300]

Re: 1996 4.3 Mercruiser Power Steering Help

I greased it when i changed the actuator last Friday. Can the cable being cramped in the engine area cause and issue? Does the cable need to be free to move around a bit?

 

[Don S]

Re: 1996 4.3 Mercruiser Power Steering Help

Does the cable need to be free to move around a bit?

Yes, in needs to move around quite a bit, some when turning, some in and out when the actuator shuttles back and forth.

 

[franksb1300]

Re: 1996 4.3 Mercruiser Power Steering Help

Is it as easy as changing the cable out with a shorter one? It could stand to be 1 foot shorter. Can it be adjusted at the steering wheel?

 

[franksb1300]

Re: 1996 4.3 Mercruiser Power Steering Help

I have repositioned the steering cable to allow plenty of slack at actuator. Unfortunately, no improvements. The steering wheel is just as hard to turn when the boat is running as it is when it is off. When I disconnect the bracket from the power assist actuator and the two clevis pins are left in place, the outdrive turns freely. It appears to me the power assist system is more of a headache than it's worth. At this point could I bypass it all together?

 

[franksb1300]

Re: 1996 4.3 Mercruiser Steering??????HELP?????

Re: 1996 4.3 Mercruiser Steering??????HELP?????

What else could I check?

 

[Don S]

Re: 1996 4.3 Mercruiser Steering??????HELP?????

Re: 1996 4.3 Mercruiser Steering??????HELP?????

Go up to the Adults Only thread and download Merc service manual #18. There is a section in it on power steering and how to troubleshoot it.
If your cable is good, and the tube is new, and the drive is free, then the Power steering has to be the problem.

 

[franksb1300]

Re: 1996 4.3 Mercruiser Power Steering Help

I took the nut off the bracket that ties the assist ram to the steering cable. When I manualy push the outside of the steering cable back and forth, the ram drives back and forth as it should. The harder I push/pull the faster the ram drives in & out. Looking at the under side of the dash at the rack & pionion system that the steering wheel is connected to, while turning the steering wheel the outside of the cable does not seem to move much at all. Is this the way it should function? Could the housing of the steering cable not be driving back and forth as it should for the steering actuator to work the way it should?

 

[franksb1300]

Re: 1996 4.3 Mercruiser Power Steering Help

 

[Juniinc]

Re: 1996 4.3 Mercruiser Power Steering Help

Have U checked the pump fluid level?