steering just not right

[pratt_man1]

Hello,
Before I do guess work and replace my hydraulics for the steering. I thought I would ask for some advice. I have a 86 thompson 19' boat with a 305 and alpha 1. When i get going my boat feels like the *** end wants to kick out to the right. If I try to straighten it out it then goes out the other way. Also at low speeds I have to constantly go from right to left to try and keep it straight. Its like I have no control. She won't hold straight. Cable appears fine and everything on the out side is fine all I have left is the Hydraulic cylinders for the steering. But before I go and spend $300.00 I thought I would ask you pros. Is there anyway I can check this. There is slop in it. If i push the lower drive unit it will move about 2" before the steering wheel moves.Thanks

 

[rickryder]

Re: steering just not right

I'm confused..... is this an outboard or an I/O ??? Your posting in the I/O forum and say " If i push the outboard it will move about 2" before the steering wheel moves"

 

[pratt_man1]

Re: steering just not right

Sorry new to this, this is an I/O when I move the Alpha one Part is what I mean.

 

[rickryder]

Re: steering just not right

That would be the outdrive.... Sounds like you have wear in the gimble ring or a bad /loose steering shaft pin... Do you have a service manual for your outdrive?

 

[pratt_man1]

Re: steering just not right

The gimble bearings and everything are good. No I dont have a manual for this. But I do see when I have someone move the steering wheel that the hydraulics move around alot. The cylinders themselves. Are they not suppose to move? There is a bolt that ties the two together it is tight. But they still have lots of wiggle room. The rubber booty is gone and grease just pores out of it. Not oil just grease. The steering shaft pin that you talk about would that be hard to check?

 

[rickryder]

Re: steering just not right

read this http://www.mercstuff.com/gimbalringinst.htm
If you need the service manual go here and download it for free....http://www.4shared.com/document/Ak79wzYs/Mercruiser_Service_Manual_6_R_.htm

I just did mine it's shown in my resto thread below

 

[pratt_man1]

Re: steering just not right

Thanks for all the info. I was up all night looking into this mess. Didn't find anything wrong with the gimble rings, bearings or on the outdrive at all. Looked at the hydraulic steering cylinder and couldn't find anything wrong with that either. What I did find is where the steering cable attaches to the hydraulic cylinder there is a block connecting the two there is about an inch of movement before the hydraulic cylinder turns when you move the steering wheel. Is there anyway to tighten that up? I even tried to get it apart is there a secret to taking this apart? Do I or should I attach pictures?

 

[rickryder]

Re: steering just not right

yes post pics... you only have 1 gimbal ring.....the gimbal bearing is behind the drive shaft bellows and carries the drive shaft....has nothing to do with steering. The cylinders are NOT for steering....those are for trim....they raise or lower the outdrive.



Look at this pic.... The 2 bolts at the top of the gimbal ring hold the steering pin.....they wear at that point or sometimes are loose.

Also read post #263 in my resto thread....

In the service manual I provided you see section 4B-5 (page 276 of the pdf file) you will see the pin I'm talking about.

If your still having troubles shoot me a pm

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