prv
Well-Known Member
So, the Infamous Ebay Speedboat made another appearance yesterday. This time nothing imploded or fell off, and overall a pleasant day out was had. However, the steering has always tended to stick a bit at either end of its travel (fortunately a place it only goes at tickover speed) and this time it got firmly jammed while I was pootling about waiting for its owner to get the car and trailer ready to haul out. Fortunately it jammed while I was doing a U-turn in the channel, and the continuous circles were clear of any obstacles, but it took quite some effort to sort out as the wheel was slipping on the column from the amount of force I was applying. I had to get out a socket set (while circling!) and tighten the nut up before I could transfer enough force from wheel to column to unstick it - and that took a hell of a yank.
I believe the engine is a Mercruiser 3.7 with an outdrive and "power steering". I had a quick look at it after our last outing back in September or thereabouts, and confirmed that the steering is not binding on any of the boat's structure. The steering works fine through most of its range, only sticking at either end. I don't think the "sticking" is merely a loss of power assistance, it feels much more stuck than that.
I really want my mate who owns the boat to fix this, though his instinct is generally to ignore problems as long as it "mostly works".
Any common problems on this unit that I should suggest to him, or general advice on diagnosis? My first step would be to try to disconnect the cable at the engine end, to see if it's problem in the drive mechanism or the wheel column/cable.
Cheers,
Pete
I believe the engine is a Mercruiser 3.7 with an outdrive and "power steering". I had a quick look at it after our last outing back in September or thereabouts, and confirmed that the steering is not binding on any of the boat's structure. The steering works fine through most of its range, only sticking at either end. I don't think the "sticking" is merely a loss of power assistance, it feels much more stuck than that.
I really want my mate who owns the boat to fix this, though his instinct is generally to ignore problems as long as it "mostly works".
Any common problems on this unit that I should suggest to him, or general advice on diagnosis? My first step would be to try to disconnect the cable at the engine end, to see if it's problem in the drive mechanism or the wheel column/cable.
Cheers,
Pete
