Sloppy steering Volvo Penta AQ275

[ahein]

Does anyone know how to tighten up the steering on a VP AQ275? When the boat was out of the water, I could move the outdrive quite a bit from side to side by hand without moving the steering wheel. I've seen some other posts regarding this issue with Mercruisers, and the answer has been to replace the gimbal ring. Does a Volvo Penta have a gimbal ring, and where is it located? I can't find any reference to it in my manuals. I also cannot find any information about tightening up the slack in the steering. The drive is a 1987 so parts are worn, but I need some hints on where to start looking for the most likely cures.<br />Thanks in advance for any help that I receive.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Sloppy steering Volvo Penta AQ275

Hi ahein, the problem could be any or all the steering conponents from the steering wheel to the outdrive but here is a list of the most common parts that wear and cause freeplay in the steering. <br /><br />-Steering rod bushe (the rod that goes through the transom)<br />-Steering helmet bushes<br />-Steering fork bushes & pins<br />-Water tube bearings(through centre of steering fork), replacing these often fixes overheating problems also as a worn bearing causes freeplay which alows air into the system.<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[ahein]

Re: Sloppy steering Volvo Penta AQ275

Hi Dunaruna,<br />I've checked the steering rod bushings, and they seem to be ok (I had someone wiggle the drive while I checked all of the connections inside the boat). It appears that the steering fork and steering helmet are not moving as much as the drive, and they seem to be moving in equal relation to each other. This leads me to believe the problem is somewhere between the steering helmet and the drive. Can I tighten the bolts in the bushing on top of the helmet? I can't find any mention in my manuals regarding the function of this bushing or any torque specs. Thoughts?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Sloppy steering Volvo Penta AQ275

Ahein, my manual (clymers) covers this but its basic, not like a volvo manual. I did my steering helmet bushes last year but my memory ain't as good as it used to be. I'll reference the manual and repost later tonight.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Sloppy steering Volvo Penta AQ275

Ahein,<br /><br />The clymers has good exploded views and info on the fork but not the helmet.<br /><br />The helmet was easy to do, 2 bolts on each side and 1 centre bolt. The bushes are readily available. Because the helmet pivots, the side bolts are shoulder type with spring type spacer - the clymer doesn't give a tightening torque but the nut will stop at the shoulder, over tightening will strip the thread. The helmet centre bolt (allen head) tightens to 44ft lbs (60 nm).<br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[ahein]

Re: Sloppy steering Volvo Penta AQ275

Thanks Aldo,<br /> I'll try tightening the bolts up in the helmet bushing and see if that helps. If not, I'll have to start replacing parts, starting with the helmet bushing and working my way back.<br /><br />Fair winds,<br />Andy