Teleflex steering stiffness

[JimCt]

My 170 has Teleflex steering (Teleflex Model SH91523P) which I'd like to make stiffer.  The steering as it is now is just too loose. I don't mean slop (like bad ball joints) I mean the wheel turns too easily.  At speed, if I let go of the wheel for a second, the boat would likely spin-out.  Dangerous situation.

I have adjusted the motor trim tab to fullest extent to counteract the torque pull to starbord, but a slight pull is still there.  Anyone else have the same situation?  Any way to add stiffness to the steering system so that steering will not be affected by feedback pressure from the motor?  My motor is an 03 Merc. 75 ELPTO.

[Reeltronics Rob]

Just curious, did you happen to buy the motor used? Was it possibly seperated from a set of twins and be the counter-rotating engine?

[JimCt]

Engine was bought new for the boat in '03.  Never was part of a twin set-up.  Anyway, I figured out the fix.

 There's a nut on the underside of the Teleflex steering box inside the console.  The nut is on the end the steering shaft, other end has the wheel on it.  By just tightening up on the nut some I was able to stiffen up the steering so that I can take my hand off the wheel for a few seconds without the motor feed-back turning the wheel.  Another little problem scratched off the list.

[WildLines]

Jim,

Teleflex is a seastar product.  SeaStar has an excellent FAQ section on their website and will also answer questions via email.  It seems to me they talk about the helm having a 'torque' setting, may be worth looking into.