Power Steering issue

expmg1

Recruit
Joined
Aug 17, 2011
Messages
3
Need help with power steering issue 1987 Wellcraft Antigua 265 5.7L - at end of last boating season when we went to pull boat out of the water the steering was very tight and seemed like I had no power steering. 1 week prior to this we took our final ride of the year and everything was fine. Superstorm Sandy hit and the boat was beat up a little bit but mostly cosmetic but it was after that that the power steering seemed like it was not working. flushed the system before putting the boat away and did not seem to do anything. Put boat in the water yesterday (not fun 4-5 waves and strong north wind off of lake Erie but had to get it out of the storage facility) and still had no power steering. belt is tight/good shape and it sounds like the pump working however I cannot see any fluid movement in the reservoir. Where do I start to diagnose this? any help would be appreciated.
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,516
Re: Power Steering issued

Re: Power Steering issued

start at the transom, check the steering cable to make sure it moves freely thru the guide tube
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,483
Re: Power Steering issued

Re: Power Steering issued

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... I'm with BD, make sure the cable end ain't corroded into the support tube...
 

84EdH

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 30, 2011
Messages
575
Re: Power Steering issued

Re: Power Steering issued

Ex, it sounds like you are saying this problem happened suddenly after being "beat up" by the storm. Was the boat in the water at the time? Any chance something on the outdrive got bent?

you can remove the pin that connects the power steering system from the steering lever and see if the outdrive moves freely from side to side, if not start looking for why.
 

expmg1

Recruit
Joined
Aug 17, 2011
Messages
3
Re: Power Steering issued

Re: Power Steering issued

Pulled the pins that hold steering rods and the steering wheel moves freely so this rules out the steering cable , the outdrive moved easily unhooked so I am leaning towards power steering pump or rack either clogged or not working correctly
I was told by an old timer at the marina that I have " morning sickness" happens to older boats in cold environments going to flush the system with approved solvent and see happens.
 
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