Bravo 3 turns hard starboard underway

[Tunabass]

So there is creep to starboard at neutral in its own but only if I manually pull the outdrive to port. If I use the helm to center it up it will no creep at all. I can not manually pull it to starboard but it will creep that way if I move it manually to port. So confused. Video below.

https://youtu.be/QFGpkYF-ADw

 

[alldodge]

First remove the nut, clean up the threads and see why the jacket is not being held when the nut is tightened down. If you get the nut to hold the jacket and have to slots on the shaft are straight up and down, then try that again. If the slots are not up/down this causes issues

The shaft should not be that easy to turn anyway, but having where its that loose, your probably going to need another ram. The good thing is it appears you can get to yours easy'er then most

 

[Bondo]

If you get the nut to hold the jacket and have to slots on the shaft are straight up and down, then try that again. If the slots are not up/down this causes issues

Ayuh,.... If the flats aren't straight up / down, the valvin' is outa line,..... it's Critical,.....

 

[Tunabass]

Thank you. I’ll try it tomorrow and report back

 

[Fun Times]

Do you by chance know if the turning speed goes up as you raise the RPM there on the trailer?

With the early designed mercruiser steering actuators there was a way to balance the control valve to stop the creeping to one side like yours is doing. I'm not sure if you'd have much luck trying to open up your later model designed steering actuator and performing an inspection, cleaning, refreshing of the seals and O-rings inside....The early style was a bit different in design.....But also the adjustments mentioned by AllDodge and Bondo are definitely worth trying too before replacements come along.

While Mercuiser says the (your design) steering actuators are not serviceable, there have been a select few of past iboats members that had some luck figuring out ways to open up and rebuild certain parts of the internals of similar types. Not sure if you'd want to give that a go or not; just throwing it out there for you.....Most would just by a new actuator and hope to be done with it.

Balancing Power Steering Control Valve:
IMPORTANT: Control valve is balanced by the manufacturer and should not require further adjustment. However, if drive unit tends to creep in one direction or the other (with engine running, drive unit in neutral, and hands off the steering wheel), the control valve MUST BE balanced as explained following.

SERVICE MANUAL NUMBER 14 POWER STEERING STEERING... For the general idea of how the balancing works see service manual number 14 Page 6A-13 titled Balancing Power Steering Control Valve easily found by doing a copy and paste of the quoted wording above online.

Now with that mentioned and the steering problem being basically an inherited problem two years ago, do you happen to know if the power steering pump was ever replaced with a new one? which may possibly have an aftermarket type pump of some sort that may possibly have an incorrect sized power steering pressure relief valve that a marine pump would normally use versus what GM automotive pumps come with as that may have an effect on your steering system as well....< Just a thought should the actuator not end up being the problem.

 

[Tunabass]

This weather sucks, so I have not been able to do much. wondering if I should just buy one of the used ones on ebay for around $100. Can anyone tell me if 8M0063382 is the right part number. There are a few on ebay. Also, if I buy one how much of a PIA is it to change it out then bleed the lines? Thank you guys very much. This seems like a very rare issue as I can find nothing online similar to my situation.

 

[Bt Doctur]

That should be the correct one .Remove the steering cable pins and remove the cable, pry the locktabs down on the 2 large bolts ans unscrew them, both top and bottom.

 

[alldodge]

8M0063382

Yes that is the correct part number, only issue with a used one is it may be the same as yours. If you could get some sort of 30 day warranty that would be good.That said most don't wear out.

It will self bleed so nothing to do there. The new ones have quick connects but in your case you will have to remove those and connect your lines directly.

 

[Bt Doctur]

http://www.boatingwithtr.com/Members/PDFs/6a_28.pdf

 

[Bt Doctur]

Although the bulletin says non-serviceable somebody had to assemble it. Considering the flats on the tube control the balance valve why not try rotating the flats 180 degrees in one direction and then the other direction as post the results..

 

[Bt Doctur]

And if you do buy a replacement I would appreciate the old one to disassemble for an autopsy

 

[Tunabass]

Bt Doctur, I will try moving the allignement mark so they are horizontal as opposed to vertical and see if I can manually move the drive either direction with engine off and then running. however, unless i'm able to tighten the coupler nut i'm sure it would vibrate enough to move the alignment marks out of wack again. its that loose. if the actuator is the issue, you are more than welcome to the old one.

 

[Bt Doctur]

the balance adjustment only balances the pressure between port and stbd.if you look at the link you can see what neutral position does ,no flow to either P or S. I would keep turning it untill I got a positive response to either port or stbd. If turning it inward increases the torque then turn it the opposite was to reduce the torque.It may take even a full turn 360 to see change.

 

[Tunabass]

I removed the nut and cleaned up the threads then I tightened it up and I was able to get it tight enough that it began to move the jacket. The indicator marks are not quite vertical but as close as I could get. I started the boat and with the engine running I was able to pull the outdrive manually both directions with only minimal creep in one direction before it stopped. I’m guessing because the marks are not exactly vertical. I’ll have to put it in the water to see if it’s any better. I’ll report back. Thank you for all the help. Fingers crossed

 

[Tunabass]

I thought someone said I should not be able to move the drive manually with the engine running. I now can move it manually both directions before I think i could only pull it one direction. The alignment marks are not vertical but closer then when I started. I wonder if that is why I can pull it both directions. Still have not tested it in the water but I hope to tomorrow. True or false, I should not be able to pull the outdrive either direction manually? Thank you.

 

[alldodge]

I don't see an issue with moving the drive in both directions with motor running. This sounds like what would happen. Unable to say for sure because I have never tried it

 

[DouglasW]

If the power steering is working correctly, you will NOT be able to manually move the drive when the engine is running. There is pressure applied to both sides of the piston in the ram when the engine is running and it will be "locked" in place. If he can move it, something is wrong, probably a bad valve. We have gone over this in another site's forum.

Just in case my memory had somehow failed me, I did try this last week for the OP and it was impossible to move my Bravo 3 drive when running.

 

[Tunabass]

Thanks all. I’ll report back tomorrow but it does not sound promising.

 

[DouglasW]

Let me adjust my description since it is not entirely correct. When not turning and engine running, pressure is not applied to both sides of the piston. Instead the relief path is cut off keeping the fluid inside the ram on both sides. That locks it in place.

Eventually that fluid leaks back and the drive can be moved. In my test, that took a few hours. After that, I could move the drive by hand (not running). Before that, even with the engine not running, I could not move the drive by hand.

 

[Tunabass]

That confuses me Douglas. I’m not sure what you mean