Help--Steering issues

[allen456]

I am having some serious issues with the new steering.  I know that hydraulic is the way to go, but not in the budjet right now.  I installed a Teleflex NFB 4.2 and it works great until you apply load from the motor.  With the motor off, you can do full stop to stop turns with one finger, but as begin to load up even on a perfect plain, it takes two hands and alot of effort to get just a little motion and turn. I feel this is unsafe and looking for suggestions.  What are you using on your boats in the 175hp range? A friend suggested that the steel shaft that the motor tilts/trims on (and keeps it attached to the motor mounts) is shot and flexing under power.  The flex in turn is putting pressure onto the steering cable arm that runs thru the motor and causing the problems.  What do you all think????????

[John Jones]

I do know that a NFB take more effort but it should not be a struggle.  It's possible that wear on the pivot tube is causing excess friction under load.

[GoneFission]

Could be torque steer.Do you have the trim tab on the motor?  Is it set to correct for torque steer?

[bdtsr]

Allen,
I agree on the torque steer issue. Adjust the trim tab on the cavitation plate. Another thing to look at, are there any HARD short radius bends in the cable? This will cause the cable to bind.

[allen456]

The trim tab seems to be adjusted correctly.  My understanding is that the trim tab will affect the steering to one direction.  Am I off base here?  The steering is extremely difficult in both directions.  When I let off on the wheel the boat tracks perfectly straight and the NFB clutch appears to be working correctly.  I spoke with teleflex this morning and they said that if the cable is not kinked (which i don't see any tight turns) it is more than likely the motor tilt tube.  The unit that I purchased should have very little resistance according to teleflex with that motor combination.  Not sure what the answer is and can't decide wether or not to buy the parts and change it anyways.

[scott_gunn]

I am having some serious issues with the new steering.  I know that hydraulic is the way to go, but not in the budjet right now.  I installed a Teleflex NFB 4.2 and it works great until you apply load from the motor.  With the motor off, you can do full stop to stop turns with one finger, but as begin to load up even on a perfect plain, it takes two hands and alot of effort to get just a little motion and turn. I feel this is unsafe and looking for suggestions.  What are you using on your boats in the 175hp range? A friend suggested that the steel shaft that the motor tilts/trims on (and keeps it attached to the motor mounts) is shot and flexing under power.  The flex in turn is putting pressure onto the steering cable arm that runs thru the motor and causing the problems.  What do you all think????????

I'm not sure of your experience with boats, so excuse me if I'm asking the obvious here.

Are you trimming the motor up at all once underway? My steering is difficult until I trim the motor up to an appropriate level. In fact, I can kind of "feel" how much trim I'm running by the amount of effort in the steering wheel.

[GoneFission]

Unscrew the cable from the motor tube and see if the helm turns freely.  If it does, it's the steering tube.  If it's still tight, it's the cable or the helm.

[allen456]

Even on a perfect plane, the steering is none existent.  With the trim set correctly, there is way to much helm, but like I said, sitting at the dock or on the trailer, it moves very easily.  I have disconnected the steering cable form the motor steering arm and the engine floats/turns with no problem and the cable slides in and out with no resistance in the helm.  The  only issuses are when any torque is applied from the motor.

I am having some serious issues with the new steering.  I know that hydraulic is the way to go, but not in the budjet right now.  I installed a Teleflex NFB 4.2 and it works great until you apply load from the motor.  With the motor off, you can do full stop to stop turns with one finger, but as begin to load up even on a perfect plain, it takes two hands and alot of effort to get just a little motion and turn. I feel this is unsafe and looking for suggestions.  What are you using on your boats in the 175hp range? A friend suggested that the steel shaft that the motor tilts/trims on (and keeps it attached to the motor mounts) is shot and flexing under power.  The flex in turn is putting pressure onto the steering cable arm that runs thru the motor and causing the problems.  What do you all think????????

I'm not sure of your experience with boats, so excuse me if I'm asking the obvious here.

Are you trimming the motor up at all once underway? My steering is difficult until I trim the motor up to an appropriate level. In fact, I can kind of "feel" how much trim I'm running by the amount of effort in the steering wheel.

[Mad Dog]

It seems there are only two places where torque would come into play given the descriptions thus far.  First, I would check the tilt tube to make sure the engine is not pinching the cable.  That would mean you may have loose, worn, or broken hardware.  That could be very serious if it progressed to complete failure.  Second, would be a similar situation with the pivot shaft (where the mid section connects to the mounting/tilt bracket).  If it has any movement other than pivoting on the shaft it could bind up under power.  You may not be able to visually verify movement while under way.  If it were mine I would use a lever (2x4) to simulate twisting and tilting pressure caused by the thrust and look for any movement at all where ther should be none.

Good luck,

MD  

[GoneFission]

Still sounds like torque steer to me - move the tab all the way over.  If it gets worse, the tab is pointed in the wrong direction - move it back all the way the other way.  

The trim tab works best when the motor is trimmed down, and will be less effective as the motor is trimmed up.  

Hope this helps!

[seabob4]

Torque tab should be oriented with the trailing edge at about 1:30 to starboard.