Hard to steer

[dtlaine]

I have a 2000 Outback LS, and sometimes the steering wheel is hard to turn. When the boat is still or going slowly, it's always easy to steer. When I'm pulling someone or especially turning around to pick someone up, it is sometimes hard to steer. It's never stuck, and it's not like it takes Superman to turn it, but it's quite a bit harder to steer than normal. The resistance comes turning both ways. The weird thing is that it's not hard to steer all the time, even when going approximately the same speed as a time when it was hard to steer.

Anyone else had this issue? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

[Buttafewcoe]

Using marine grease, give a light coat to the exposed ends of the steering cable, extending the cable one way, with a light coat, then the other way, same. Also you should find a zirk fitting on the rudder shaft. Give the fitting a couple shots or untill you see grease coming out the bottom. Wipe up the excess when finished.
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Everytime I grease mine, it takes a little force to pump grease into it. Must be a tight fit. I try to do that a couple times a year, mid-season and season end.
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BTW, at speed my steering gets a little stiffer from the water pressure, but I can hardly notice the difference.
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Hope this helps,
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[Buttafewcoe]

Deja-Vu.........X2
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As I was having me bedtime beer, I thought I should also say while you got the grease out, do the same with the throttle linkages as well, at the shift handle, and at the trans and carb. There is also a little ball socket at the rudder linkage as well. Look around, if it moves slow and has metal to metal contact, prolly needs a lil lube.
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[dtlaine]

Thanks!

[JesseC]

I just replace my steering cable because of almost the same issue. Here is what we did to test everything.

First check the steering wheel itself. Unbolt the four bolts where the rack attaches to the steering wheel. Does steering wheel turn freely? If yes then continue.

Second, unbolt the rudder from the cable. Does the rudder move freely?
If yes then continue.

Can you work the cable back and forth by hand near the rudder? We could not get mine to budge and replaced the cable. It took about an hour and a half. After we got the cable out, not matter what we did, we could not get the calbe to move by hand!! Even though the steering wheel could, but with a good bit iof effort.
Now with the new cable in, I can steer the boat with one finger no matter how hard the turn of how much power, it is ALWAYS easy to steer.

Isolate the problem first and then let us know what you find.

[jcaines]

On The some 2000 model boats you cannot get to this fitting with out removing every from the rear storage area . In my case (2000 mobius) this included trim panels floor of compartmant and both ballest tanks takes About an hour. how ever I solved this problem by going to the local hydraulic store and having a hose made with the same thred as the zirk fitting ( be sure to tell them what you are using it for) . the hose was long enough to reach the motor box area . Then reassemble rear storage area takes about another hour. But now rase motor box grese and go!

[Buttafewcoe]

That was a very good idea!
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