Tightening up sloppy steering

[tschmidty]

I have an 1988 Maxum (Bayliner) with rack and pinion steering that is a little sloppy. I know I can add a bushing of some sort to tighten things up at the transom, but is there any way to adjust/tighten the actual rack part of things?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Tightening up sloppy steering

Ayuh,... Replace it...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Tightening up sloppy steering

What does sloppy mean? Is there play? So if one person is holding the wheel and another tries to move the outdrive there is movement and play?

Or does your boat wander at low idle speeds while you are moving?

 

[tschmidty]

Re: Tightening up sloppy steering

It's play in the steering wheel. I looked and it's about 3/16 - 1/4 inch at the end of the steering arm. The steering arm through to the gimbal housing seems ok. I'll probably just put a bushing at th eend of the cable to tighten that up and call it a day. I'm just picky and it'd be nice to have it tighter.