Vibration or chatter in Steering

[pls4912]

Anyone else experience a slight chatter or vibration in the steering column during the initial take off. It goes away after a few seconds while the boat is planing. Eventually I will change the prop to an ACME 525. Just wondering is there is anything you can do to fix? Suggestions? Boat is a 2005 Mobius LS.
Thanks,
Phillip

[clark]

The last time I was out on the lake in our '05 LSV, I got really nervous. We had been out for 4-5 hours. I had 2 teens behind the boat on tubes. I noticed a vibration in the steering and it sounded funny and as I accelerated, the vibration got very bad. I thought I had somehow messed up my prop or drive shaft. I got them back in the boat and was heading back to the marina. Then I went to WOT and the vibration was gone. I did perhaps think maybe I had gotten some weeds wrapped up in the shaft or prop. No problems for the other couple of hours.

Does anyone have any other theories other than weeds? I never have had the problem before, and I usually do not see a lot of weeds in out lake.

Clark

[pls4912]

Yes, that was my thought also, might be the cause. However, the chattering sound I am feeling is more in the steering than the actual boat and drive train vibrating. I was wondering if there was some kind of grease fitting or a way to lubricate the steering cable. That might smoothen it out a bit. I have also had the problem of picking up something from the water that makes the whole boat shake, I thought I hit the prop on something. Stopped, put it in reverse and the problem was fixed.
Phillip

[seanpatsdad]

pls4912
there is a grease fitten at the rudder were the cable conects to the rudder shaft.
John

[pls4912]

I checked the prop when the boat was on the trailer and it looked to be in good condition. No dents at all. I also put the boat in drive for a few seconds while flushing the engine and while the prop was spinning it appeared to be out of track, not by much though. If something was wrong with the prop wouldnt the vibration become worse as the RPM's increase?

[chpprpilot]

I've had this same problem on my XLV, as well as my Outback LS that I owned for two years. It's a crackling sound like the steering shaft metal is being stressed. It happens every time during hard acceleration, especially when the ballast is full. I've had the drive and steering systems looked at but have found no problems and the sound goes away within a few seconds.
Moomba: Is there a type of insulation that could be installed to at least keep that sound down a little? I know from experience that the boat is working fine, but everyone who rides on my boat looks at me like the boat's about to come apart upon acceleration.

[barefooter200]

Hello,

I have a 93 Boomerang and mine has done this since the start...

I dont know why, but it does anoy me. So anyone with more ideas, like someone at MOOMBA, give us a hand please.

Love the boat, but just a few kinks,....

Jeff

[smokedog2]

Clark,

I think you are cavitating the prop at the yank & bank. Add a little weight. Worked for me.

The rest. No clue. No chatter on my 05 LSV. A SWAG might be a lose mounting bracket for the steering cable.

SD2

[Shoemaker Mobius]

I get steering vibration when I have our 2004 Mobius LSV heavily weighted and pulling up a wakeboarder. However, I find it mostly occurs when the steering is not straight ahead - if I have the steering partially left or right when I hit the throttle, there is much more vibration than when I happen to get it straight ahead at throttle up. When the boat is not heavily weighted, it doesn't happen at all. I am in the habit of guessing that the steering is straight and when I hit the throttle, let the steering wheel slide on its own to a straight forward direction. This has no impact on the wakeboarder because the boat wants to go straight and straightens out very quickly. By heavily weighted I mean the center bag in the ski locker full and approx. 500lbs in each of two bags next to the engine compartment (i.e. 1,000 lbs in the rear), plus 2-5 people on the boat.

[clark]

SD,

Give me more info on the "Yank & Bank". This problem has also happen with the bags half way full and 5 people in the boat.

Clark