power steering cylinder or other problem: help

[CHEVYJEFF]

Need a verifyication of my diagnosis. I think my powersteering cylinder assembly has taken a dump.

1997 5.7 mercruiser, alpha one gen 2 serial # k154222

Last season steering was flawless but first time out this year and the power steering is very stiff, almost like its non existant. I have eliminated the following:

1. steering cable is free and not corroded to the housing. Did this by removing pin and moving steering wheel back and forth effortlessly while watching cable move in and out.

2. removed the other pin on the other powersteering cylinder and can move sterndrive by hand very easily back and forth.

If I reconnect everything to the cylinder its very stiff, and its not much easier to steer when the motor is running. I have no leaks and no noises from the powersteering pump and its full of fluid and cool to the touch when running.

Any other Ideas before I bite the bullet and order a new powersteering cylinder and are there any tricks to installing it.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: power steering cylinder or other problem: help

with the 2 lines disconnected from the cylinder check movement(it will squirt some oil out) if it moves free ,check the pressure coming from the pump itself.

 

[Bondo]

Re: power steering cylinder or other problem: help

Is the P/S Pump full of Oil,..??..??

 

[CHEVYJEFF]

Re: power steering cylinder or other problem: help

yes, pump is full of oil an no leaks. I will disconnect lines and check movement. How is the best way to check pressure out of pump? I have an old fuel pressure gauge I could use.

 

[Don S]

Re: power steering cylinder or other problem: help

See if this will help, it's the section from the OEM manual on Power Steering.
The pressure is well above the capabilities of a fuel pressure guage.

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14a6.pdf