Sticky steering

[snatchblock]

Hi Guys, I have a 6.5m Humber Destroyer, with a 90hp Evinrude, steered with a SeaStar hyd setup. The boat was laid up, with the engine on for a year, engine in the central position. Since putting the boat back in the water, the steering has been very stiff, requiring both hands on the wheel to turn it at low speeds, within about 5 degrees of central, either side of that the motion frees up. Any ideas? Used to be a really light engine to turn. Wife not happy, need a fix fast!
Thanks for any suggestions.

[Phil M]

I'd start by looking greasing the steering pivot (I'm sure it has a proper name) on the engine and inspecting the rod on the hydraulic cylinder for damage (steer both ways full lock and look for pitting/rust on the rod). If that doesn't help, disconnect the steering link and see of the engine is easy to turn by hand. If it is, rotate the wheel (still with engine disconnected) and see if the steering is still stiff. This will tell you where the problem is. A hydraulic fluid bleed or fluid replacement might be a good plan too. Not a difficult task but you need the fill tube adapter and a bottle of fluid to do it.

Phil

[beamishken]

Disconnect the ram from the motor see how easy the engine turns side to side and how easy the ram moves. It could be the end seals in the ram tight on the shaft or the engine pivot bearings you need to determine which it is before just diving in