Stiff Steering

[Law]

I have a 1997 Hydra Sport 17.5 foot. It has a evinrude 150 v6 intruder on the back. I noticed when I test drove it the steering was very stiff and hard to turn when the boat was moving. I greased the steering pistons on the motor and it got a little better but is there another place to grease. It turns good on the trailer but is only stiff when moving.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Stiff Steering

Is it cable steering? If so, disconnect the motor from the steering system and determine whether it's the motor or the steering, and proceed from there. If it's the steering system, it's usually best to just replace the cable, especially if it's seen saltwater, since efforts to free it up generally don't succeed. If it's hydraulic steering, there's always a grease fitting for the swivel tube on the inner midsection. BTW, greasing the rams on a hydraulic steering system is a bad idea; just attracts dirt and doesn't help it work any better. The ram should always be kept clean, and maybe lightly oiled prior to prolonged storage.

 

[MPII]

Re: Stiff Steering

Check this out.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=435944