Volvo Penta 8.1 Gxi DPS Steering Issue

[Bnewton530]

Hi everyone,

Just went to put my boat in the water and it has developed a strange steering issue. With the engine running, turning the steering wheel in either direction I feel resistance every 30 degrees or so. It’s evenly spaced and only felt with the engine running. Steering without running it’s perfectly smooth. Same with physically turning the out drive from the ground by hand, spins back and forth perfectly smooth. It has some play back and forth, but walking around at the dealer I feel similar play in almost all the boats in the lot, even new ones.

I’m new to these drives and the boat only has 330 hours on it although being a 2008. I find it hard to believe that the gimble plate is wore out. Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[Lou C]

If it’s smooth with the engine off I doubt it’s the transom mount. More likely related to the power assist system. Belt tight enough? Any fluid leaks? Low fluid level can introduce air in the system.

 

[Scott Danforth]

or the cable and helm are iffy