Princess 266. with outdrives.

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oldgit

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Helped move a Princess 266 recently. Steering felt every "notchey" when turning the helm.
Recall that a lack of hydraulic fluid gives same symptoms.
Could not see anywhere to top up(usually immediately behind wheel ?)
To save a search of entire boat...is the steering hydraulic and where does one top up ?
 
Yup, from memory, should be immediately behind the wheel on the steering column. Owned a 266 back when they were in production, phenomenal sea boat for the size and properly fast with twin AQ431 (205hp) V6 petrols.
 
Normally a little plastic cap on top of the alloy casting the wheel is mounted on ?
Nothing visible externally in this case , assume hidden away somewhere and probably why nobody has ever bothered to find it and top it up.
Going to have a look near the steering ram.
 
Yes exactly, little black plastic knurled one that you should be able to undo with your fingers (but usually can't).
 
At that age probably does not have hydraulic steering just volvo power steering. If you open engine hatch on one engine you should see a belt driven pump/reservoir in black with a plastic screw cap, it would take ATF fluid.
 
XPS said:
At that age probably does not have hydraulic steering just volvo power steering. If you open engine hatch on one engine you should see a belt driven pump/reservoir in black with a plastic screw cap, it would take ATF fluid.
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Given that it won't be cable steering, and it certainly won't be electric, what would it be other than hydraulic? (Genuine question, I just can't think what else it would be).

And yes, definitely power steering. I'm old enough to remember pre power steering, on cars as well as boats!
 
I would imagine that it will be cable form helm to steering actuator with then opens shuttle valve for engine pump driven power steering. Pretty stand on most 80' & earl 90's i/o installation. As you say some would have been upgraded to hydraulic but if there in no reservoir behind wheel I would imagine it is just power assisted.
 
Cable steering to the ram. Then power assisted via a pump belt driven on the engine. Top that up and operate each way with the engine running to bleed it
 
All the older Volvo outdrive steering systems I've seen have been cable with a power steering ram behind the engines on the outdrive steering arms as described above. With low ATF fluid in the engine mounted reservoir you do get some strange effects at the wheel when the level is low.
 
Heavy cable direct from helm to
out drive steering arm(s).
Lots of play in system.
No sign of any power assistance stuff.
 
Intriguing, which engines? Mine definitely had power steering but was twin 4.3 litre V6. They did four cylinder AQ151 146hp engines, and a couple of single engine options, a TAMD 41 and a V8 petrol, so maybe it's one of those?
 
James jameson said:
It’s it just standard ‘teleflex’ and the helm units missing teeth or the cables shot ?
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Yup ....and going to guess that its either extreme wear or damage to teeth and/or "rack at helm resulting in the notchy steering.
Apparently a common malaise and replacement cables available for £150-£200 pounds.
 
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Does the steering notchy effect sharp and jerky or is it more like a popping sensation - you can build force by turning the steering then it just pops around a bit and starts buiding force again. If it's "popping" its hydraulic and short of fluid.
 
kashurst said:
Does the steering notchy effect sharp and jerky or is it more like a popping sensation - you can build force by turning the steering then it just pops around a bit and starts buiding force again. If it's "popping" its hydraulic and short of fluid.
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A look into the engine compartment revealed a single "cable" going from rear of helm direct to the outdrive steering arms .
No hydraulics in there, apart from outdrive ram pumps reservoir etc.
 
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