4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

[samm835]

My steering is very stiff to turn, I am pretty sure it has power steering (assistance). Is there a way to find out what could be causing the steering issue without throwing a whole new cable at the issue and hoping that solves it? I wasn't sure if the pump goes out if that would make steering harder ....or if it can be made not to work while I do some testing. Any help or thoughts would be appreciated on test to do prior to buying a new cable. I remember looking at the cable and I didn't see any grease fittings on the end. Would using penetrating oil on the steering shaft help at all if its the cable starting to freeze?

 

[JustJason]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

Is the steering stiff at all speeds, including slow speeds when your not on plane and just putting around?

 

[samm835]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

All speeds....slow....fast, you name it its stiff. Takes two hands to turn wheel. It moves, just a PIA and needs to be fixed.

 

[JustJason]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

If it is at all speeds it is either the cable or the steering pins. What you do next is disconnect the steering cables link arm from the sterndrive, and swing the drive back and forth by hand. If drive is stiff, then it's the steering pins and the gimbal needs to come apart to have that cleaned up. If the drive swings freely, then it's going to be the cable. The cable have issues in 2 spots. The first is where they go through the steering tube on the inner transom plate. They like to corrode in there which causes stiff steering. The 2nd place is the cables themselves just wear out, and they bind internally. Cables are a wear and tear item, and on average you see 10 to 12 years out of them. In either event, it's a bit of work to get it all apart even if it is just corrosion. Because of that if it looks like the cable, your just better off replacing the cable and helm unit, cleaning out the steering tube and greasing it, and calling it good for another 10 - 12 years.

 

[samm835]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

Sounds good, I will try to get into it tonight or tomorrow and slowly figure out which of the 3 things it can be. First to see if the drive swings freely......I will keep this updated on the outcome. Thanks for the help Jason!

 

[JustJason]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

The pump does not provide any power assist at low speeds (which is why I had asked). If the steering was good at low speeds bit got tighter at high speeds then that would point to a pump issue. But not when the steering is stiff at all speeds.

 

[JustJason]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

And if the pump has no fluid it won't do anything

Correct, and I agree on that. But the pump doesn't do anything anyways at low speeds anyways. If you took 2 identical boats, and everything about them was the same except that 1 had power steering, and the other did not. At low speeds, when you are not up on plane, you can not tell the difference between the 2 boats.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

The first is where they go through the steering tube on the inner transom plate. They like to corrode in there which causes stiff steering.

Ayuh,.... I dare say, this is the Most common problem, Especially in saltwater boats,...

Pull it apart, clean it, regrease it, 'n put it back together,...

 

[samm835]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

Thanks for the replies......my boat has always been in fresh water. I haven't checked this yet(over weekend) but I was thinking about this process while working today. Jason you said that it could be the "gimbal"? Are you talking about the gimbal bearing? If so I didn't realise that had anything to do with the steering. I was also trying to locate the "steering pins", I wanted to get visuals of possible issues so I can prepare possible problems. Thanks for helping, if you can let me know where these two things should be so I can take a look at the manual.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

Thanks for the replies......my boat has always been in fresh water. I haven't checked this yet(over weekend) but I was thinking about this process while working today. Jason you said that it could be the "gimbal"? Are you talking about the gimbal bearing? If so I didn't realise that had anything to do with the steering. I was also trying to locate the "steering pins", I wanted to get visuals of possible issues so I can prepare possible problems. Thanks for helping, if you can let me know where these two things should be so I can take a look at the manual.

Ayuh,... I believe JJ is talkin' bout the swivel pins in the gimbal Ring,...

1 is the pin the tiller arm attaches too, 'n the other is at the bottom of the gimbal Ring,..

 

[JustJason]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

Ayuh,... I believe JJ is talkin' bout the swivel pins in the gimbal Ring,...

1 is the pin the tiller arm attaches too, 'n the other is at the bottom of the gimbal Ring,..

You would be believing correctly sir!

 

[samm835]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

SOOOOO.....looking into this lovely possible PIA to do, let me make sure I am looking at it correctly. So IF this is the issue, the outdrive would need to completly come off to get to the steering pins and bearings? Well if thats the case I better start praying for it to be the easier of the two and the less expensive (steering cable). Hmmm so who was it that said owning a boat was cheap and easy? LOL oh well....I love the lake! Thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

SOOOOO.....looking into this lovely possible PIA to do, let me make sure I am looking at it correctly. So IF this is the issue, the outdrive would need to completly come off to get to the steering pins and bearings? Well if thats the case I better start praying for it to be the easier of the two and the less expensive (steering cable). Hmmm so who was it that said owning a boat was cheap and easy? LOL oh well....I love the lake! Thanks

Ayuh,... Don't get all Defeatist now,....

Most Likely, it's the cable corroded in the aluminum tube at the transom,...

That'll potentially co$t ya Nothin' to clean, 'n grease,....

 

[samm835]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

Ok sorry for the long delay, I was able to pull the steering pins off and free the outdrive. I moved the outdrive. It moved very easy, so thats a relief....some anyway. Ok so I can guess, its the steering cable? Any suggestions in what the next step should be? I was thinking about pulling the cable out so I can order exact length....but prior to doing that, how is it held in along the side? Im sure it can't be as easy as bolts off at steering wheel and easy pull out. Anything I should keep an eye out for when pulling and installing?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

Ok sorry for the long delay, I was able to pull the steering pins off and free the outdrive. I moved the outdrive. It moved very easy, so thats a relief....some anyway. Ok so I can guess, its the steering cable? Any suggestions in what the next step should be? I was thinking about pulling the cable out so I can order exact length....but prior to doing that, how is it held in along the side? Im sure it can't be as easy as bolts off at steering wheel and easy pull out. Anything I should keep an eye out for when pulling and installing?

Ayuh,..... Before ya go rippin' the dash apart,...

Pull the aft end of the cable, Outa the aluminum tube at the transom,....
The end of the cable, is Known to corrode inside the tube,...
A 12ga. shotgun brush is 'bout the right size to scour out the crud,....
Dependin' on how stiff the brush is, a 16ga. might be better,...

 

[samm835]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

Ha, I'll open the gun safe and pull out the brush. I picked up a can of PB blaster penetrating cleaner....so maybe try using that with brush, but steering was more tight after sitting for a couple months

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

Ha, I'll open the gun safe and pull out the brush. I picked up a can of PB blaster penetrating cleaner....so maybe try using that with brush, but steering was more tight after sitting for a couple months

Ayuh,.... Just wantin' ya Check, before ya buy,...

I recommend ya replace the helm, 'n cable as a Kit,...
Usually by the time the cable gives up, the helm unit ain't far behind,...

 

[samm835]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

Thanks for the help and idea's Bondo. So whats involved in getting the cable out? Is the cable fastened somehow on the inside in someways? Is it clamped in anyway? I wasn't sure if I needed to pull the side molding for better access.....Thanks for all the help.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 Merc AlphaOne - 1996 Power Steering issue

Thanks for the help and idea's Bondo. So whats involved in getting the cable out? Is the cable fastened somehow on the inside in someways? Is it clamped in anyway? I wasn't sure if I needed to pull the side molding for better access.....Thanks for all the help.

Ayuh,... There's the Pin connector on the very end, 'n the Big nut on the other end, then pull it out,....

If it'll come out,...