Mercruiser 1989 5.7L pwr steering problem

[TheChosen1]

I have a 1989 Sea Ray 22DA with Mercruiser 5.7L that has a power steering problem. When I am at cruising speed everything works fine. When I am at idle the steering is stiff when turning right and noticeable harder when turning left. I have replaced the belt and lubed everything I can find. I tried to remove the steering cable where it connects to the control valve but I couldn't get it all the way out. I lubed what was exposed. Still having problem of stiff steering but only at idle or very low speeds. Why only when I'm at low speed and why harder to the left than right? Could it be the pump?

 

[APPALOOSA2]

Re: Mercruiser 1989 5.7L pwr steering problem

I ASSume you checked the fluid for proper level ! If you have steering at higher RPM and not lower RPM it is pump related. I would drain all the fluid out of the pump and lines and put in new fluid and see if that helps. I bet it will.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 1989 5.7L pwr steering problem

A couple of things comes to mind. Make sure the steering cable isn't tied down or blocked so it can't move back and forth freely. Since you say at idle it's hard to steer and you can't get the steering cable apart, sounds to me like the tube the cable is in is full of corrosion.
You may nees some heat to help pull the cable out of the PS unit tube.

Here is a section from the OEM servcie manual on power steering , it may help a bit.
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6A6R3.PDF