Seastar Question - Steering gets tight at hard port

Hi all. I wanted to ask the gurus before I drop $100+ on a seal kit and fluid...

I had the boat out this weekend, and noticed that if I turn the steering wheel all the way port, it starts to get really hard to turn towards the end of motors range of motion, and that I can continue turning the wheel (it's pretty hard to turn) once the motor is as far over as it will go. Then it's really hard to turn back to starboard for about a quarter to half rotation of the wheel, then is gets easy again. From that point all the way starboard, it turns easily and the wheel stops properly when the engine gets to the end of its range. It's only when turning all the way to port that this issue is present.

I bled the system yesterday and that didn't seem to help. I haven't noticed anything leaking, but it seems there is air or something causing an issue...

So my only other option seems to be replace the seals, then the whole cylinder if the seal replacement doesn't work. Or don't make hard port turns... http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/ohwell.gif

Thanks in advance!



Modified by flea121 at 11:16 AM 6/28/2010

Have you tried contacting Teleflex?

Have you disconnected the steering mechanism from the motor to determine whether it is the steering or the swivel bracket that is the problem?

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by ChampioNman &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Have you tried contacting Teleflex? </td></tr></table>

No, I haven't. Didn't even think about it since it's from a 1999 unit... http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/doh.gif But I guess they haven't changed'em... I'll give them a buzz and see what they say.

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Danrude &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Have you disconnected the steering mechanism from the motor to determine whether it is the steering or the swivel bracket that is the problem?</td></tr></table>

Good suggestion. I didn't consider that either since it operated fine the week before. But I'll add that to my list of things to check and make sure it's not something binding up.

Thanks for the thoughts guys!!! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif