stiff steering Tahoe Q6sf

[TR6ME]

Just got a 2006 Tahoe Q6fs and noticed that the power steering is quite a bit stiffer than my previous Sea Ray. I checked the power steering pump and found the fluid level to be low and topped it off. Next day out and no change in steering. I looked for possiable lube points in the cable and pivot point inside the engine compartment and found nothing, the fluid level in the pump has not decreased after three trips out. Any Ideas. I also noted a coiled wire about half the way back on the boat with steering and throttle cables when inspecting the steeeing cable. It had a special connector at the end and had three pins going out of it, any ideas what it is for?

Mark J

 

[grendelsniper]

Re: stiff steering Tahoe Q6sf

I have the same problem with mine, it seems when it is cold I can barely steer it, but once it warms up and I drive it around it loosens up. I was also wondering about that.

 

[Swedish_Skipper]

Re: stiff steering Tahoe Q6sf

Check your tension for the serpentine belt. Read my story below,

I had the same thing happen on my 2011 Q5 when heading back to the access one day. Power steering level was fine everything seemed good besides the very stiff steering. We were fishing near some weed beds so I though maybe some vegetation got jammed along side the lower unit but when I pulled it out of the water everything was clean. Well the next time I went out it was doing the same thing. I was out in the middle of a big lake and all of a sudden my gauges went goofy, I got a voltage alarm on my locator, and the steering issue went from bad to worse. I stopped the motor and looked and to my surprise the serpentine belt was laying on the floor of the engine compartment! Since I didn't have a 16mm wrench and I was too far from shore to use the trolling motor I had to work the belt on by hand. After some struggling I got it most of the way on then turned the motor over and it went the rest of the way on. After I got back to the dock and tightened the tensioner for the serpentine I never experienced the stiff steering after that. Moral of the story: "Be prepared" my tool set I carry with has grown since then.

 

[water world]

Re: stiff steering Tahoe Q6sf

Take it to your local mercruiser dealer i have fixed possible bad control valve on transom. They have to be installed correctly or could be bad.

 

[grendelsniper]

Re: stiff steering Tahoe Q6sf

Does the control valve have to be installed by a mercruiser mechanic, or diy kind of guy.