Steering

[chrishowden]

My steering is really stiff when engine is on but when it is not on it is smooth any ideas?

[jyasaki]

Just "on", or when you are under power? If the latter, at speed or at idle?

Tiller or remote?

A little info goes a long way in getting suggestions.

jky

[chrishowden]

It is remote control and is hard to steer when at speed. Could it be the propellor?

[willk]

Is your engine trimmed all the way down? That would do it....

Does the "hard to steer" manifest itself in one direction only? If so, the trim tab on the leg may need to be adjusted.

[jyasaki]

At speed will be harder than at rest, as you have the force of the water on the lower unit trying to straighten it out.

So, if it's really stiff at speed, and only sort of stiff at rest, you probably have hardened grease in the steering tube. The motor turns with the same resistance, but you have the added water force when moving. There should be a couple/few zerk fittings on the tube (the "axle" that the motor turns on) into which you pump a bunch of grease in until you have fresh grease being forced out. If that is the problem, you probably should repeat that exercise quite often to try and get some of the old/hardened stuff out as it softens with the fresh stuff.

The other possibility would be sticking steering cables; you might be able to get some lube in them to free them up, but I have little to no experience at that, so someone else should probably give you input on that one.

If it turns freely at rest, then it most likely won't be either of those; see Willk's post above.

jky

[9D280]

As posts above. Although I would guess if it's OK at idle then it'sa dynamic problem, so to expand slightly on Will's post-

If you got power trim - once on the plane, trim up slowly until it gets easy to steer or the prop jumps out the water. Once the prop starts letting go, trim back in a touch

Manual trim - Time to get your fingers wet! Move the pin on the clamp (the one the engine sits against when fully down) up one hole at a time. Things will become easier to steer (and will be slightly longer to plane) until you trim it so far up the prop lets go at the first sign of a wave, at which point drop it a hole. You may also find a fuel economy inceaceon cruise if you raise it. Somewhere in the middle is your optimum.


I had two settings on my old Suz - One for when I was doing rescue work and had a lot of stop -start (needed to get on the plane quick, and a higher hole for cruising.

[chrishowden]

I am going to change the prop to see if that would make a difference. What prop would be the best to get the best performance out of it. Pitch, 3 or 4 Blade?

[two stroke mick]

I suspect that this is a trim tab problem. Adjust it untill the steering is relativly light

TSM

[willk]

Originally Posted by chrishowden

I am going to change the prop to see if that would make a difference. What prop would be the best to get the best performance out of it. Pitch, 3 or 4 Blade?

Out of curiosity, what makes you think your prop is at fault here?

[chrishowden]

I was talking to someone and he says that he had a slight dent in his prop which made his steering light one way but hard the other way. So he got the prop changed and the steering was fine after that.

[willk]

Hmmmm. It's an expensive test if you don't have a bent prop. Have you given any thought to our suggestions above? - i.e. trim tab adjustment or engine trim position?

[9D280]

Yep, I'll second Will on that..... You sure your mate didn't also put it in for a servicce at the same time or the dealer tweaked the trim tab whilst testing it?


Basically 4 blade = more grip + more drag. Unless you are pushing a barge along I wouldn't bother on a 40.


What prop you got now? I have a merc 10.? x 13" and a Yam 10.<a bit more than the Merc one> x 14" if you want to try, but I doubt it will make much difference to the steering. Is your prop nut held on with a split pin or a tab washer?

I'd try the trim first - it;s a free test .... if you ignore the burnt fuel!

[chrishowden]

what way should i adjust the trim tab?

[9D280]

Not at all unless it pulls to the left or the right!

I meant trim as in "in/out" - moving the pin that goes through both clamps that it rests against when fully down.


Item 23 on this (totally random) pic
http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Me...KET/parts.html

[chrishowden]

ok. It is all the way down so i should move it up one notch

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by chrishowden

ok. It is all the way down so i should move it up one notch

Might be easier than moving it down a notch !!

[willk]

Originally Posted by ashbypower

Might be easier than moving it down a notch !!

Cheeky - we're all being very patient here and you go and spoil it

Yes Chris, try moving it up one (maybe two notches) first and try the rib at your "crusing" speed. Try a turn or two and see how it feels (steering wise). If the prop cavitates too readily, you'll have to come down a notch again. It's a trade off between light steering and prop cavitation. (ok, ventilation, i no, i no )

On the up side, you'll find that your top speed has improved and you'll use less gas. However, the higher you set the trim, the higher the chance of cavitation on "takeoff" and in turns.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by willk

If the prop cavitates too readily, you'll have to come down a notch again. It's a trade off between light steering and prop cavitation. (ok, ventilation, i no, i no )

... the higher you set the trim, the higher the chance of cavitation on "takeoff" and in turns.

Why are you calling it one thing when you know it to be another?

[willk]

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

Why are you calling it one thing when you know it to be another?

'Cos someone will correct me no matter which I use.

(or ask me why )

[ashbypower]

Originally Posted by willk

'Cos someone will correct me no matter which I use.

(or ask me why )