Help me diagnose a power steering issue

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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,069 mod
    Huh.  I overlooked this instruction in the install manual:

           IMPORTANT: Cable guide tube flat surfaces must be positioned vertically or
           slight feedback in the steering system could be encountered.

    I'll go check it today.  @212rowboat good to hear from you.

    @Alswagg With the engine off, it's very difficult to turn.  Speeding up the engine doesn't change how it feels, but I haven't tried it in gear yet.  
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,851 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited April 2021
    212rowboat said:
    Iirc there is a little flat spot on the ram that needs to be matched up with the top of the ram body.... er... uh... something like that.  If it isn't, you'll get herky jerky steering... I can't recall exactly, but indexing the eyelet to the body makes a big difference, however it's done.  I'm sure it's in a manual somewhere, which is where I recall it from.  I bought a new system last year when the steering cable snapped, and found the one on it was fine- jist wasn't indexed correctly.  
    Yes, this is true. The flat needs to be in a certain position.
    2008 330EC
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,069 mod
    The flat was about 45 degrees off from vertical.  I corrected it, but it didn't seem to make much difference.  Will go back later today and take another look.
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Dont they make a rebuild kit?
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  • GrahamuGrahamu Member Posts: 921 ✭✭✭
    Mercury doesn't list one, looks like a new actuator from Mercury is around a $1000.00 US and I see only one in stock. I saw a new one listed on Ebay for $388 plus shipping.

    Mercury Power Steering Cylinder 8M0063382 806034a1 for sale online | eBay
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,069 mod
    edited April 2021
    Seems too good to be true.  It claims to be new OEM actuator for US$245, delivered by Friday.  I placed the order, so we'll see.  
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    A hydraulic shop could fix
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  • GMSLITHOGMSLITHO Member Posts: 1,618 ✭✭✭✭
    I know on top of the  steering pin there is a bushing if its twisted or not seated right might be a issue 

    I don't know how you would check it though
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  • 212rowboat212rowboat Member Posts: 2,593 ✭✭✭✭✭
    if the assist for a bravo is the same as for an alpha, and i think it is, i have an extra one still wrapped in bubble wrap i'll part with for a benji and shipping.   
    click here for faults (BEEP) list
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  • Handymans342Handymans342 Member Posts: 10,375 ✭✭✭✭✭
    212rowboat said:
    if the assist for a bravo is the same as for an alpha, and i think it is, i have an extra one still wrapped in bubble wrap i'll part with for a benji and shipping.   
    Too late, he ordered the Chinese model
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,069 mod
    Manufactured in Brazil ... if it shows up at all.  @212rowboat maybe I should buy yours and return this one.  Merc part number is 8M0063382.  I'd much rather keep the money in-family.  
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  • GrahamuGrahamu Member Posts: 921 ✭✭✭
    I don't think it goes by drive, the parts lookup is by engine
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,069 mod
    I got that part number at https://www.mercruiserparts.com/ from the engine serial number.  1A030061
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  • GrahamuGrahamu Member Posts: 921 ✭✭✭
    Yes it's the right part# it's the latest superceded #
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  • 212rowboat212rowboat Member Posts: 2,593 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I've no clue what the one I have is... same as was on a 357mag mercruiser built engine.  There ain't much to it. 
    click here for faults (BEEP) list
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 9,851 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @LaRea , I’ve noticed a lot of Quicksilver parts are made in Brazil.
    2008 330EC
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,069 mod
    The new part was a plug-in fit, but it did not fix the problem. I'll try to get underway tomorrow to see if hard use will jog something loose. 
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  • Liberty44140Liberty44140 Member Posts: 4,414 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Sorry to hear that, kind of deflating after buying the part. Will your mechanic give you half an hour to have a look?
    07' Cruisers 390 (Previous Rinker's: 06' 342EC & 01' 310FV)

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  • GrahamuGrahamu Member Posts: 921 ✭✭✭
    When you changed the actuator was the stbd steering arm easy to move?
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,069 mod
    Crap, I forgot to try that.
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,069 mod
    I went for a shakedown cruise yesterday and bounced the boat over a few wakes, but it didn't help.  I guess it could be problem with the stbd transom assembly, although that would not explain the jerky feel to the steering. 

    If there was a fluid blockage on the low-pressure side, I'd expect it would pop a hose fitting somewhere.  So maybe there's a blockage in the high-pressure hose from the pump to the actuator.
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  • GrahamuGrahamu Member Posts: 921 ✭✭✭
    It's probably time to disconnect the actuator and check the transom assy and at least eliminate it or the power assist.
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  • GrahamuGrahamu Member Posts: 921 ✭✭✭
    @LaRea any updates?
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,069 mod
    I got tired of replacing things, so I'm hoping it's an air bubble that will work itself out after I get underway a few times.  My helm seat was at the shop until Friday, but now I can start going out if the wind would calm the heck down.  
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  • YYZRCYYZRC Member Posts: 5,462 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @LaRea did you find the issue? My steering feels heavy. 
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,069 mod
    No, it's still basically the same.  I replaced the low-pressure hose (the short hose from the actuator to the steering fluid cooler), but it didn't help.  

    Originally, that low-pressure hose had a sharp kink that I thought might be restricting flow.  I rerouted the hose to straighten the kink, but that was dumb.  When you straighten a hose that has been kinked for 14 years, it cracks.  Duh.   :#
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  • YYZRCYYZRC Member Posts: 5,462 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks!  The PS reservoir was empty so I topped it up, but perhaps damage was done to the pump or maybe there's another issue somewhere.  No leak that I can find.
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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