Steering Wheel and Power Knob....Weird

[gran398]

Went down and ran it this morning. Paid careful attention to engine movement at various RPM's figuring the greater the torque the more potential slippage.

Sitting at the dock in neutral, turn the wheel either direction the engines immediately move. At cruise if you move the wheel to port, they immediately move.

Move it to starboard at cruise...different story. The wheel moves three inches (turning it clockwise) before the engines do.

Power knob ends up pretty much anywhere when the engines are perfectly straight.

So....reckon the wheel is slipping on the taper?

PS, haven't checked the fluid level yet....horseflies were eating us alive when we got back.

[seabob4]

Scotty, no, the wheel should not move in relation to the shaft as it is keyed to the shaft by a Woodruff key.  Check the fluid and have the steering re-bled...

[wingtime]

Scotty, no, the wheel should not move in relation to the shaft as it is keyed to the shaft by a Woodruff key.  Check the fluid and have the steering re-bled...

If the key is there!  Seems strange that it only does it one direction.  Unless there is a problem with a valve or something.  But stick with the basics an check the fluid level first.

[gran398]

Thanks guys

Bob, it is possible the Woodruff key wasn't re-installed by the mechanic up here when we changed out the head. That is what Farl was referencing....the original one was for dual station use (unbeknownst to us)  and hard to turn, so switched it for the correct head.

Step by step...will ck the fluid tomorrow.

[love2fish]

I'd think if it's only in 1 direction- possibly the bleeder valve could be open at the motor.

[seabob4]

I'd think if it's only in 1 direction- possibly the bleeder valve could be open at the motor.

Chris, that would be evident by a small puddle of hyd fluid under the offending fitting...

[fitz73222]

Scotty,
What you have going on is down right dangerous! Yank the boat and take it to your helm guy. While your at it, take it your Mercury guy and get the damn engines serviced. Gear lube, grease, water pumps, thermostats, water separators since I'm pretty sure they haven't been touched since we did them for Miss D's maiden splash.

[Capt. Bob]

And while you're out, get me a ham and swiss on rye with a pickle spear.
Spicey mustard.
Thanks.

[fitz73222]

Bob,
He'll make you one and ship it if you like as long as you don't mind having it deep fried in coconut oil after assembly!

[gran398]

Make you guys anything you like, love that deep fryer!  

Just got back from checking the fluid. Added 1 oz.

Spun it around several times, worked fine.

Then...

Decided to see if I could duplicate what was happening on the water.

So threw the wheel back and forth in quick, short bursts....walked that knob all the way around clockwise, and the engines never moved...ugh.

Definitely a dangerous situation. Guess the key is either missing or not engaging.

Trailer time....will have her serviced too, although have been keeping her squirted off real good

[fitz73222]

Or something in that pump. Strange, but better now than in turn and having to avoid a collision. Just for giggles when you get the boat on the trailer have a neighbor hold the engines while you try to steer port and starboard and see if the wheel is turning while the helm shaft stays stationary. If you can see the shaft probably looking while on your knees. Or easier yet, mark the nut at TDC and attempt to turn the wheel, if the mark doesn't move we may have a woodruff key issue or wheel hub issue if it is pressed into place. I'm thinking its hydraulic with a leaking valve but I'm not familiar with details of how a helm pump works other than a very basic understanding. As far a service, I know you have at least 100+ hours since I touched them plus the very fact of taking them apart avoids the cluster we went through getting them apart because salt welded studs. That was a fun 12 hours if you recall and two powerhead removals to be able wiggle the gearcases enough to break the salt loose on those damn studs. I will not hammer a lower unit off if it is stuck as you know!

[seabob4]

My feeling is it's the helm pump.  As Farley said, if you look  on the under side of the wheel hub, you can see the shaft.  Turn the wheel both directions and see what the shaft does.  I would say pull the wheel to make sure the key is in it's slot, but you might need a small gear puller to do it.  You can rent the small one at AZ for $30...

[wingtime]

I'm placing my bet on something in the helm pump.  If the key was missing it the wheel would move both directions.  Since it only happens in one direction it sounds like a valve or something is leaking.  Is it a Teleflex helm?  Call them in the AM.  As already mentioned that is a VERY dangerous situation.  Oh yeah haul the boat and get her serviced!

[gran398]

Thanks guys. The helm pump is newly rebuilt by the service center in Fl and is not leaking, at least anywhere that can be seen. Took just a tad of fluid this morning.

I don't know, but for sure is freaky and dangerous to run. Bob would hope that wheel should pop right off, it was put back on 14 months ago.

Thanks again you guys, will keep you posted.

[seabob4]

Scotty, sometimes they do and sometimes they don't...