steering is loose on 160 hp Mercruiser

[spiderweber]

We're new to boating, so not a lot of experience. Only taken this boat out twice so far. It's a 1988 Sea Ray Weekender. The steering reminds us of an old gas hog car from the seventies. It's all over the place. Any clues?

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: steering is loose on 160 hp Mercruiser

Post some more information regarding the steering setup. Is it hydraulic or manual? Is it a single cable or two cable? How big is the motor? Out of the water, can you move the lower unit without the steering wheel moving in the boat? You will get lots of help here, but everyone will need to be as informed as possible in order to accurately diagnose your problem. <br /><br />BTW: Welcome to iboats!!!<br /><br />I moved to Florida from Nashville 5 years ago, grew up in Brentwood.

 

[JB]

Re: steering is loose on 160 hp Mercruiser

Howdy, Mrs. Weber.<br /><br />Welcome to iboats. <br /><br />This forum is for troubles with Mercury outboard engines.<br /><br />Your trouble is with a SeaRay boat, so I will move this to the Boat forum for you.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[spiderweber]

Re: steering is loose on 160 hp Mercruiser

Our Sea Ray Weekender (23') has a 150 HP Mercruiser, double cable, hydraulic steering. Steering is loose and we have to overcompensate, especially in low idle. Any clues?

 

[craze1cars]

Re: steering is loose on 160 hp Mercruiser

You may not have a problem at all as this is actually quite normal at idle speed for deep v hull I/O's. Every 5 seconds you have to steer the other way, and you zigzag across the lake. With time you learn to anticipate how it works and driving it becomes second nature. The hulls are very poorly designed for low speeds like that. Here's another thread on the topic...with links to yet MORE threads. It's been discussed MANY times before. http://forums.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=013930#000000 <br />At higher speeds does it go straight and steer well?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: steering is loose on 160 hp Mercruiser

But you may have trouble! Can you load it on a trailer and check the outdrive for excessive side to side play? In the Mercruiser repair forum (in my opinion where this topic should be, diggin at ya JB ), do a search for the guys very recent post about play in his dual Bravo 3 set up. In that post, you will find a link to another post that references the common wear issues that Mercruisers have with steering.<br />Nevermind the search, here ya go:<br /> http://forums.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=016038

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: steering is loose on 160 hp Mercruiser

Is my thread linked in your thread craze? And does that mean we have now linked with everyone of each others threads??

 

[DJ]

Re: steering is loose on 160 hp Mercruiser

Looseness in the steering is easy to check. Just have someone stand behind the boat and watch the outdrive as someone else turns the wheel-slightly.<br /><br />More likely than not. You are experiencing: "V-Hull Wander".<br /><br />The trick is to not OVERCORRECT while driving. It takes practice.<br /><br />A set of trim tabs, either manual (Smart Tabs) or electric (Bennett) can greatly reduce the concern.