How to loosen steering?

[Speedfreak95]

Hey guys have a 196 and the steering is very tight. It's pretty hard to turn left and right. How would I loosen this up a bit? It's a 1986 and was told I have hydrologic steering but cannot find a reservoir to top off fluid? I have to use both arms to turn I'm getting used to it but makes maneuvering the boat rams pretty rough

[Capt. Bob]

Here's a start.

http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=2464.0

http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=6001.0

[Speedfreak95]

Thank you sir. Gonna try to locate the reservoir and start there

[Capt. Bob]

Thank you sir. Gonna try to locate the reservoir and start there

If hydraulic, it most likely will be located directly behind the steering wheel.

A pic will help to confirm.

Follow the link in the linked post below and look at the first photo. It shows the fill location (fill plug is removed) behind the wheel at the helm for the most common type hydraulic steering we use.

http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=6777.0

Good luck.

[Capt. Bob]

As per my other link on "Hard Steering", the 5th post may relate to your problem.

"I wrote"
When you turn the steering wheel (boat on trailer) look at the "support brackets" and be sure they are not binding. The brackets are black, "L" shaped aluminum  pieces with washers/spacers that connect the rod that passes through the cylinder to the rod that actually turns the motor. These pieces must rotate freely as the motor moves or stiffness/binding will occur. The aluminum holes in the bracket will corrode around the stainless shafts.

Here are a couple of pics to illustrate what I'm referring to:

"L" shape bracket (one each side of cylinder)


Shafts that may have corrosion that can cause hard steering. The shorter shaft in the back can be troublesome.



Clean both the shafts AND the aluminum "L" brackets and washers and lube well.



Not sure this is your problem but good general maintenance anyway.

Good luck.

[GoneFission]

Hey guys have a 196 and the steering is very tight. It's pretty hard to turn left and right. How would I loosen this up a bit? It's a 1986 and was told I have hydrologic steering but cannot find a reservoir to top off fluid? I have to use both arms to turn I'm getting used to it but makes maneuvering the boat rams pretty rough

"Hydrologic" is probably not correct - it's likely "Hynautic" - Hynautic was bought by Teleflex and now is part of the SeaStar lineup.  Hynautic steering is different from the regular hydraulic steering systems.  Hynautics are somewhat sensitive to the type of oil you use - SeaStar or aviation hydraulic oils are recommended; ATF is not.  There was a recent discussion on this at THT:  http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/495404-hynautic-steering-how-hard-should-turn-wheel.html#b 

Hope this helps - good luck!

[Speedfreak95]

Appreciate the pictures captain bob. I've lubed up those zircs for the steering and will check out to see if I have a reservoir. Will post what I end up finding

[Speedfreak95]

After some research I have found out about the teleflex nfb systems. I do not have hydrolic. Anyone have any idea how long of a cable I should get? I have yet to pull the current cable off to measure it but the way the cable sits it looks too tight (which may be a reason for my stiff steering). I also have a 2ft extension on the back of my boat and a closed transom.

[wingtime]

Usually the length of the cable is stamped on the jacket  afoot or so from the engine end.

[Speedfreak95]

Any chance I'm going to need a long er cable then what I have? Due to the extension bracket putting the motor back another 2 feet?

[Speedfreak95]

Here's a picture of the bracket which makes me think I may need a longer teleflex cable

[RickK]

I guess it depends on how much slack you have in the cables, whether you need longer ones or not.

[Speedfreak95]

It's failry tight. I looked at the cable end and didn't see a length is there somewhere I can find the length on the current cable before I remove mine

[Capt. Bob]

I looked at the cable end and didn't see a length is there somewhere I can find the length on the current cable before I remove mine

Try looking at the helm end. Below is taken from the Teleflex site.

The cable part number and length can usually be found about 2 feet from the helm connection, stamped into the plastic conduit (exterior jacket or casing).

Good Luck.

[Blue Agave]

Before spending money on the cable have you verified that the issue is indeed the cable and not the motor?  Disconnect the motor from the steering arm and see if you can move the motor side to side effortlessly. If the problem is indeed the motor a new steering cable will not solve your problem.  I recommend getting a grease gun on the zerk fittings on the motor steering column and see if that helps. Hopefully the steering column has not been neglected by the previous owners and the problem is indeed your cable.  Good Luck!