Steering gear woes.

[BarryH]

The steering gear on my outdrive is set up thus. The steering cable from the helm unit passes thru a tube and connects to a drag link. The draglink connects to another lever which is pivoted in the middle. The other end of this lever is connected to another link. This link is akin to a bottle screw but on each end is a sprung clip that attatches to a ball. Not unlike a tow hitch arrangement but in minature. The other end of this link attatches to the tiller arm of the outdrive.

Got all that right. So with all these links and levers theres a fair bit of play. Looking at the cable travel for one turn of the wheel the steering cable travels the same distance as the tiller arm. So could I connect the drag link from the steering cable to the tiller arm and junk all the links. Why did Volvo set it up this way? Am I missing something dead obvious here. Why are there so many links and levers that seem to achieve nothing.

I've got three seperate points at which to "set" the steering, ie the tube is ajustable in its holder, the drag link has 4 holes it could be connected to and the bottle screw thing can be adjusted for length. With 8 dufferent points for play to appear they all add up to a bit of slop in the steering. Anyone got any views?

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[tcm]

i wonder if it's a standard kit that is being used, and that some or most of the adjustment elements might be inaccessible in some boats?

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[BarryH]

hmm, well. The piccies in the engine manual show the same set up. Can't understand why its been done this way. There seems to be no mechanical advantage in either direction the way its set at the moment. The levers are pivoted in the middle. In saying that the drag link can be fitted in a number of holes and so can the fitting in the tiller arm. But if I change these from the present settings then the steering will become heavier with the mechanical advantage on the side of the outdrive. So at the helm I'll experience more "torque steer" if thats possible on a wheezining volvo petrol!

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[jfm]

Yup I'd get rid of all the links. Steering is simple stuff, yours sounds like a "one size fits all" kit with too many adjustable parts. Best way to get rid of all the play is buy a hydraulic kit, not too expensive these days (I fitted one to our outboard boat, it transformed the steering and removed all play.)

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[tcm]

>can't understand why it's been done this way<

Note that most people designing boats and boat bits posess considerable quatities of daftness, and if they were hot enough to get a job outside engineering, or at least in the automotive sector which pays a bit better, they would. So, please don't imagine that the marine item at which you are looking has been designed by someone with a better brain that yourself, cos chances are that it hasn't

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[tico]

Yup, mine was set up the same way. I think it was so that the power steer ram cd be bolted to the outdrive bit.

All a load of cr*p, IMHO

Replaced with a single tie rod between the 2 tiller arms and hydraulic drive to one arm.
Works perfectly and no probs with torque steer with 2x150hp diesels!

Remember that the 2 drive shld have a bit of 'toe-in' I think its about 10mm but figure is in the back of the drive manual (at home!)

<hr width=100% size=1>Been there, done that, got the oily T shirt

 

[BarryH]

Thats intresting........I've only got one drive tho!!

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[duncan]

that would make it a V rather than a VV? /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>madesco madidum ..../forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[Duster]

I have just imported a Trophy 2052 with the 3L Mercruiser ( without power steering), although very pleased with the boat, the steering is rather heavy especially after a smaller outboard powered boat. I wondered about a hydraulic kit , do you think that it would reduce the effort needed to steer?
Regards mikej

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[jfm]

No, not with a basic kit. The hydraulic steering just cuts out friction and play. There's no power assistance in the basic kits (like the one I fitted) although you can adjust the gearing (ie less effort, but more turns lock to lock) just by specifying an appropriate size cylinder/pump when you order the kit

I you want higher gearing and or reduced steering effort you need proper power steering. You can get electrically driven power steering for ourboards and stern drives. One system tested in Dec issue MBY. Costs quite a bit more though.

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