Lumpy steering

[oGaryo]

As ever, boats never remain fixed for long On the way over from Mercury (lots of weed about) to Ocean Village at the weekend I noticed that at displacement speed the steering felt 'lumpy' i.e. smooth then a restriction feeling then smooth again. It didn't feel like something was binding, just irregular, not smooth throughout. It was ok at planing speeds though. I didn't notice it when I used the boat 2 weeks previous.

Any ideas please? twin KAD32 on DP290 sterndrives

many thanks

 

[vas]

no experience with sterndrives whatsoever, but lumpy steering may be due to a drop in fluid level. Did you check that?

V.

 

[epervier]

or even a slack power steering belt.

 

[Whitelighter]

Almost certainly low hydraulic steering fluid.

Get some automatic transmission fluid (red) and top up the system by removing the full screw behind the wheel.
If the problem goes away but then re-occurs then you have a leak and need to trace it.

 

[volvopaul]

Almost certainly low hydraulic steering fluid.

Get some automatic transmission fluid (red) and top up the system by removing the full screw behind the wheel.
If the problem goes away but then re-occurs then you have a leak and need to trace it.

S28 has cable steering no top up plug at helm jez.

Sounds like air in the system .

 

[CX54WEK]

Ours sometimes does that if we have something on the props or if they are slightly dinged.

 

[Peanuts]

As already mentioned check the steering fluid, on the inside of the transom, mine is between the engines, there is a black reservoir with a screw top, that is the one for the power steering fluid.

 

[oGaryo]

thanks all, I'll check nest time I'm down there. I inherited a bottle of steering fluid with the boat which I guess is a big clue in hindsight suggesting i also need to look for a leak.

thanks again

 

[OAF]

thanks all, I'll check nest time I'm down there. I inherited a bottle of steering fluid with the boat which I guess is a big clue in hindsight suggesting i also need to look for a leak.

thanks again

My steering goes 'lumpy' after the boat has been left for a while without use, i too inherited a bottle of steering fluid which i have to just put a drop in ever time i take the boat out, i have searched high and low for a leak on the system and i have never found one, it is such a small amount that i have to put in i don't worry to much about it, good luck Gary with finding the leak, keep us posted as to the results as it might help me find mine!

 

[oGaryo]

Ok, would appreciate some help on this one. Definitely got a leak, you cannot miss it, I have steering fluid leaking into the bilge from the rear of the starboard engine. Just starting investigation into root cause and hoping it's a leaking pipe or something of that nature as access to that area is extremely restricted. However, hope is fading as I've looked at the engine schematics and the Steering Servo Pump appears to be in that location bugger and thrice bugger

 

[oGaryo]

good(ish) news, I think I've found the leak, it appears to be coming from the high pressure connection into the steering ram towards the top of the engine and the running down the bilge behind the engine. access is still **** but much better than if below the engine. pipe #39 in this schematic

 

[oGaryo]

New pipe I reckon and obviously been leaking for a while before finally giving up the ghost

 

[volvopaul]

I've done a few of them its always the ram end that rots off, use a proper pipe nut spanner or you will round it off.

Las resort is to snap the pipe off then use a 6 sided socket over the pipe nut.

 

[STEVEDUNSTABLE]

Hi G....start collecting those "bug*ers" .. your going to need more than "thrice bug*er" if mine is anything to go by for access !!!!

 

[CharlieAlpha]

Good luck with that Gary, guess you never made Cowes either? If you need a hand in the week call or PM me.

 

[oGaryo]

Made Cowes in the end Chris, a very kind Elessar fella gave me a lift

 

[[2068]]

FlowerPower scrambles into the engine bay, armed with a can of Corrosion Guard to see if he can locate something like a "high pressure connection into the steering ram towards the top of the engine" ...

 

[oGaryo]

FlowerPower scrambles into the engine bay, armed with a can of Corrosion Guard to see if he can locate something like a "high pressure connection into the steering ram towards the top of the engine" ...

Good call David regarding checking these pipes, mine's worse than first thought

Looking like a new Steering Cylinder is needed

 

[[2068]]

Oh Dear, that doesn't look good
Is that half of the casing with the threaded connections available as a spare part, maybe?
Or is there some way of welding / repairing?

 

[z1ppy]

ouch, that looks painful!