Torque Steer question

[Mark42]

I notice that the Bayliner w/85 hp is harder to steer starboard than to port (at least thats the best I can remember). Compared to the 40 hp MFG that feels the same turning starboard or port the Bayliner has a heavier feel.

I just installed a new steering cable, checked the rotary helm for wear, and the o/b pivot king pin and everything checks out good. When on the trailer, if the motor is grabbed from behind and turned, the resistance is the same starboard or port and the wheel spins freely. If the wheel is turned the resistance is the same starboard to port and vice versa. Only when under way does the wheel feel heavier turning to starboard than to port. Boat travels straight with no wandering or drifting off course (at least none that I noticed).

I assume this is torque steer. So if the mechanicals are good, and the boat is tracking right, is it normal to have a heavier feel on the wheel one way or the other? Will adjusting the outboard exhaust snout (trim tab) help with reducing the heavy feel or will it just mess up tracking?

 

[Zeeter]

Re: Torque Steer question

I notice that the Bayliner w/85 hp is harder to steer starboard than to port (at least thats the best I can remember). Compared to the 40 hp MFG that feels the same turning starboard or port the Bayliner has a heavier feel.

I just installed a new steering cable, checked the rotary helm for wear, and the o/b pivot king pin and everything checks out good. When on the trailer, if the motor is grabbed from behind and turned, the resistance is the same starboard or port and the wheel spins freely. If the wheel is turned the resistance is the same starboard to port and vice versa. Only when under way does the wheel feel heavier turning to starboard than to port. Boat travels straight with no wandering or drifting off course (at least none that I noticed).

I assume this is torque steer. So if the mechanicals are good, and the boat is tracking right, is it normal to have a heavier feel on the wheel one way or the other? Will adjusting the outboard exhaust snout (trim tab) help with reducing the heavy feel or will it just mess up tracking?

Having followed your project I thought youd know. Adjust the trim tab to your liking.
Youll never get nuetral but close.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Torque Steer question

Having followed your project I thought youd know. Adjust the trim tab to your liking.
Youll never get nuetral but close.

I had to go through adjusting the tab on the MFG, but that was only 40 hp, and it did a great job of making the boat track straight. But torque steer is insignificant on that motor so I didn't have to worry about tracking affecting torque steer or vice versa. With this Force motor and the huge "nozzel" as they call it, I'm not sure if the torque steer can be elimintated without affecting the tracking. Like so many other things, I'll have to jump in and test different settings to find out for sure.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Torque Steer question

Like so many other things, I'll have to jump in and test different settings to find out for sure.

That's about the only way to know for sure...