Steering/Rudder Issue- Urgent

[mattb]

Guys I am in desperate need of some urgent help. I am going to Torch Lake on Friday for a week and just experienced a steering problem -

Problem/Description: Under power or at any speed above 5-10 mph, while making a left turn (turning wheel to the port side), it now requires some muscle to turn it and then stays in that position when I let go. Normally, the wheel will always turn to the right when I let go or lighten up on the steering wheel. No problems turning to the right. At idle or with the boat out of the water, steering feels smooth full turn port to full turn starboard.

What I've checked - cables, rudder assembly, and other steering related grease fittings were recently greased. Visually inspected steering cable and rudder for any binding. The only thing I noticed is that the rudder has some vertical play it in, but nothing extreme.

What else could be wrong? This trip's success hinges on my boat working properly. I used my boat all weekend with ZERO steering problems until tonights little outing. Help TeamTalk! Boat is a 1995 Prostar 190, LT1, Powerslot. If my only options include replacing, does anyone have part numbers to what I would need?

Pics -

[Cloaked]

New cable. Give that zerk a shot of grease.

www.skidim.com

Overnight delivery.

Done deal.

.

[mikeg205]

I assumed everything lubed up? ( I assume yes) - DO you have time to drop rudder and check the housing? Usually needs a second set of hands and a floor jack. I would try to get a hold of cloaked.

[mattb]

Originally Posted by Cloaked

New cable. Give that zerk a shot of grease.

www.skidim.com

Overnight delivery.

Done deal.

.

I initially thought it was the cable, but it seems strange that the cable would only be affected when turning left.

Originally Posted by mgorczak1

I assumed everything lubed up? ( I assume yes) - DO you have time to drop rudder and check the housing? Usually needs a second set of hands and a floor jack. I would try to get a hold of cloaked.

I can do so if necessary. Everything was greased up no more than 10 engine hours ago. I re-greased everything and it seems to have tightened up any play in the rudder. If i drop the rudder, what am I looking for in the housing? Are there any seals or bearings that could be binding? OR am I simply looking for signs of wear?

[ahhudgins]

I have tight steering (tighter than I like) on my Maristar and I'm still not happy with it. I replaced the cable, the pivot clamp, and I've removed and cleaned my rudder box.
When you remove the rudder you need to clean all of the old grease out of the box and off of the rudder. Mine had two o-rings in the box. I've posted some pictures but for the life of me I can't find them. Still looking.

The work I have done so far has helped a little but I may have a bent rudder shaft. As yours, my steering is free until the boat gets up to speed. Mine has the same stiffness in both directions and it's mostly at the ends.

[jfw432]

To rule out the cable, it may help you isolate the problem if you disconnect the cable and try to move the rudder or rudder arm by hand. If it's binding or dragging, you'll be able to feel it.

[keith3613]

I had the same problem. Check the guide tube in front of the rudder. Mine had rusted on the inside. Once the rust was removed ( I repainted it too with POR-15) it worked like new. The steering cable was rubbing inside the tube. And, it was binding on the rust.

[TOO-TALL]

I found that by turning the steering wheel to the right and left while pumping grease into the rudder box helps also. It takes two people of course.

[mattb]

Originally Posted by ahhudgins

I have tight steering (tighter than I like) on my Maristar and I'm still not happy with it. I replaced the cable, the pivot clamp, and I've removed and cleaned my rudder box.
When you remove the rudder you need to clean all of the old grease out of the box and off of the rudder. Mine had two o-rings in the box. I've posted some pictures but for the life of me I can't find them. Still looking.

The work I have done so far has helped a little but I may have a bent rudder shaft. As yours, my steering is free until the boat gets up to speed. Mine has the same stiffness in both directions and it's mostly at the ends.

Mine is only tight to the left. When removing the rudder, do you need to replace the o-rings with new ones?

Originally Posted by jfw432

To rule out the cable, it may help you isolate the problem if you disconnect the cable and try to move the rudder or rudder arm by hand. If it's binding or dragging, you'll be able to feel it.

I moved the rudder by hand with the cable connected and it moves freely and feels smooth. It feels smooth from turning it by the wheel as well.

Originally Posted by keith3613

I had the same problem. Check the guide tube in front of the rudder. Mine had rusted on the inside. Once the rust was removed ( I repainted it too with POR-15) it worked like new. The steering cable was rubbing inside the tube. And, it was binding on the rust.

What is the guide tube? The silver threaded tube that the steering cable goes through?

Originally Posted by TOO-TALL

I found that by turning the steering wheel to the right and left while pumping grease into the rudder box helps also. It takes two people of course.

I always do this when lubing the steering cable and rudder. Thanks for a little the advice guys. My boat absolutely has to work for this upcoming week!

[millpondkid]

As keith stated check the inside of the guide tube for rust buildup. Yes the silver threaded pipe that your cable goes into. This was the same thing wrong with my boat this spring. Sticking when I turned to left but otherwise turned good. Remove arm from rudder and see if rudder moves freely by hand then remove cable from guide tube and look inside guide tube for defects. Be careful if your guide tube gets stuck while trying to pull the cable out. Mine was stuck and while I tried to force it back down I slammed the end of the guide tube on my inner thumb and it busted me wide open. Should have gotten stitches but hey the boat had to be fixed first lol.