steering wheel only clicks when turning right, yet turns left just fine

[novo99]

Basically said it all in the title... I can spin the wheel right and it makes a clicking sound like gears aren't catching. Eventually it does catch and when I straighten out I have no problem turning left. my last trip to the river made me dizzy. lol. I have an 84 Chris craft I/o. Where should I begin to repair this

 

[2ndtry]

Re: steering wheel only clicks when turning right, yet turns left just fine

Just something to check before you get too into it: I had the exact same problem and it turns out to be in the the tilt steering mechanism. Of course I had the cable off and was replacing the helm unit when I found out. :facepalm:

 

[novo99]

Re: steering wheel only clicks when turning right, yet turns left just fine

Thank u. ill look into it. when I move the prop by hand side to side the steering wheel moves accordingly but I still hear the click

 

[novo99]

Re: steering wheel only clicks when turning right, yet turns left just fine

I'm sorry... what n where is the tilt steering mech.?

 

[2ndtry]

Re: steering wheel only clicks when turning right, yet turns left just fine

I'm sorry... what n where is the tilt steering mech.?

You might not even have one. If you can tilt your steering wheel, there is a little universal joint right behind your steering wheel. Mine is protected by a rubber bellows where the tilt happens, just take the bellows off and watch when you turn the wheel, it was pretty obvious the "click" was coming from the joint on mine.

I think the tilt is a long shot, but it the easiest to test.

 

[riptorn]

Re: steering wheel only clicks when turning right, yet turns left just fine

We assume it is an 18ft. Check all your nuts and bolts under the dash at the steering mod. Mine were all loose. Is it rotary or a rack? steering

 

[novo99]

Re: steering wheel only clicks when turning right, yet turns left just fine

Its 19ft. of course I was only told that, never actually measured it. I believe its rotary by comparing it to the product search I did. I don't have tilt. I swear it sounds like the teeth on the cable and gears in the helm sound like the one side is warn down. like they're not catching just rubbing. everything seems solid on the dash. nothing wiggles.

 

[riptorn]

Re: steering wheel only clicks when turning right, yet turns left just fine

They are a tough steering asm. You need to replace. I had a 18ft 165hp I/O which was not greased both ends when I bought it and ended the up the steering shaft let go in the out board and that cost me 1200 to replace. To make it a short story your lucky. When was the out board greased? Or you bought the boat resent. One side of the teeth are worn and it can only get worst. Is your steering wheel in a different position all the time going staight?

 

[novo99]

Re: steering wheel only clicks when turning right, yet turns left just fine

Ya different position each time. Found out the cable was new a year ago. But I found a friend of a friend who works on boats and works for beer. I'll let ya ll know what he finds.

 

[riptorn]

Re: steering wheel only clicks when turning right, yet turns left just fine

When you replace make sure your out board moves free and easy and change grease nipples if need.

 

[novo99]

Re: steering wheel only clicks when turning right, yet turns left just fine

The gears in the steering helm were worn down. couldn't just replace the helm because it was an older model.