Volvo Penta Steering Stiff

[chasxjs]

I purchased a 2000 Chaparral with a Volvo Penta SX four years ago. Ever since I bought it I have had an issue involving stiff steering. When steering under normal conditions the steering is stiff to turn the wheel (no power assist at all). If I turn the wheel quickly, (as in a panic type turn) the steering assist will kick in and it is very easy to turn.
I have checked the tube on the actuator and the flats are vertical. The cable moves freely when disconnected. I have lubed the actuator where the outer housing slides which I assume is the control valve and it appears to slide freely. However, I am still having the same issue.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard

disconnect the cable end and see if its your cable. if so, replace the cable and helm

 

[Lou C]

If not the cable is the drive belt tight and is the system free of leaks? It is common for the actuator to leak on these. Look where the piston rod comes out of the hydraulic actuator…

 

[kenny nunez]

The cable itself has to be free from where it makes the turn towards the back of the boat. Look for anything that may keep the cable being clamped down restricting the movement which actuates the shuttle valve.

 

[chasxjs]

welcome aboard

disconnect the cable end and see if its your cable. if so, replace the cable and helm

Thank you,
As stated in the original message, The cable moves freely when disconnected. It also does not bind throughout the full movement. It just has no power assist.
It acts as if the p/s valve itself is not moving far enough unless I jerk the wheel.

 

[chasxjs]

If not the cable is the drive belt tight and is the system free of leaks? It is common for the actuator to leak on these. Look where the piston rod comes out of the hydraulic actuator…

Thanks,
The belt is tight with no squealing at all. No leaks or loss of fluid.
It just has no p/s assist unless I jerk the wheel to start the turn.

 

[chasxjs]

The cable itself has to be free from where it makes the turn towards the back of the boat. Look for anything that may keep the cable being clamped down restricting the movement which actuates the shuttle valve.

The cable feels free when disconnected with no specific binding point.
It acts as if the shuttle valve is just not moving quite far enough unless I jerk the wheel as I start the turn, then it's fine.

 

[Lou C]

is there too much play in your helm unit?

 

[chasxjs]

is there too much play in your helm unit?

No, there is very little play in the helm. The steering feels about like a car would if the power steering went out. Nothing feels loose or binding, just tight. Then if I jerk the wheel quickly, I will have normal power steering through the remainder of the turn.

 

[Lou C]

How about in the hinge pins/steering arm on your outdrive & transom mount? I'm thinking that if the cable isn't stiff, then there may be play somewhere that causes you to have to more the cable more than normal to get the steering arm to move.

 

[chasxjs]

How about in the hinge pins/steering arm on your outdrive & transom mount? I'm thinking that if the cable isn't stiff, then there may be play somewhere that causes you to have to more the cable more than normal to get the steering arm to move.

I guess I am not explaining it correctly. The steering arm is moving fine and I can steer the boat with no play in the steering.
It is literally like the power assist is turned off then when I turn the wheel quickly something is turning the power steering on. It only takes one quick movement of the wheel and the power assist will kick in so that the wheel is very easy to spin until I complete that turn, then the power assist turns off until the next turn and it starts all over again.
It does not appear to be anything unsafe, just extremely annoying.
I hope that makes sense.

 

[Lou C]

Well if the cable isn’t stiff and there’s no play in the helm or steering arm it could be the internal seals in the actuator. These can be rebuilt even though VP says they can’t. They can be tough to change. I had to replace mine on my 1988 OMC which was leaking for a while. If you have to replace yours I hope you have good access. It is a tough job because of the 4 cotter pins from hell as I call them. In order to get access I removed the rear seats all the engine compartment dividers and the exhaust manifolds. Then used a cotter pin puller to get those #%* cotter pins out. Two big ones on the mounting bolts and 2 small ones on the steering arm.

 

[Scott Danforth]

can you grab the cable with two fingers and pull it stop to stop, thus spinning the steering wheel?

if there is a fair amount of resistance, the cable wont move the actuator quickly

 

[chasxjs]

can you grab the cable with two fingers and pull it stop to stop, thus spinning the steering wheel?

if there is a fair amount of resistance, the cable wont move the actuator quickly

I'll try that. Thanks

 

[chasxjs]

I'll try that. Thanks

The steering wheel spins very free when disconnected, however from the other end it is difficult to move by pushing in/out. I have ordered a new helm and cable and will report back on the effect.

 

[QBhoy]

sure sounds like you have play in the mechanical side of things..most common cause on such a set up, would be from the steering bush perhaps, on this particular set up. But I would also say that there are many components in such a system that have to operate and combine before any action of steering occurs. there is usually some sort of lag in operation to deal with, even from new.

 

[chasxjs]

Just an update: I have replaced the helm and cable and the issue still exist. Steers fine with no play at all, but the power steering assist does not kick in unless you turn the wheel quickly.

 

[Grub54891]

Power steering pump bad? I had a older ford that would ” black out” when turning. New pump cured it.

 

[TRid]

I recently bought a 2002 Glasstron has a 5.0 motor and a Volvo penta drive. I have a similar issue with my steering. Happens at any speed when you apply pressure to turn the steering is hard. when the pressure has been applied long enough then the power steering kicks in and is fine for the rest of the turn. Then you start the process again on the next turn.

The issue feels like a delayed power steering. Not a bad cable or play in the cable system. feels like you are loading the power steering hydraulics and then for what ever reason the system releases and then functions for the rest of the turn smooth.

I would like to know if you found a solution as I am starting the trouble shooting process.

 

[TRid]

The release is not based on speed or force of the turn. I can apply a small amount of pressure to the turn and it still hangs up for a similar amount of time and effect. Then it breaks and the oil moves freely and hydraulics function fine.