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Power steering problems

J

jthomley

Member
"Great forum, and first post!

"Great forum, and first post! I have searched for an answer, but could not find one so sorry if this is answered somewhere else.

The steering was very hard the last time I had the boat out last fall. (2001 Maxum 18' runabout mercruiser 4.3L). I have removed everything back from the the power steering pump. I believe the problem is the cable, since I hooked up the cable alone and its still pretty hard to turn the wheel. I was going to replace the cable and "rack" of the steering.

I have two questions please:
1. Would just the "cable" still be hard to turn without any help from the power steering pump?
2. How can I check the power steering pump if it is working correctly.

Thanks for the help, Jasson."
 
1. Some effort is needed to t

1. Some effort is needed to turn the OD. I can turn my OD by hand; 4.3L.

2. not sure

Has the boat had regular lubrication service since 2001? There are grease fittings all over the OD and power steering assy. Also a number of linkages that require oiling.
 
"Thanks for the help! and re-

"Thanks for the help! and re-reading my post, I'm a bonehead! I did not mean cable I ment to type steering wheel. I guess that changes the answer a little.

Regular lube? Uuuhhh, I guess not (haha). From the steering wheel to the link to the foot, there is not one grease fitting! No kidding. I had it all out today.

Any more thoughts for a dummy? Jasson."
 
"If you disconnected the cable

"If you disconnected the cable at the steering and it is hard to turn the wheel then I would consider replacing the cable, rack & pinion assy."
 
"Update-It was the steering ca

"Update-It was the steering cable! I replaced the cable with a new one, and now the steering works like butter!

Thanks for the support of this forum!

Jasson."
 
"Now another question, please.

"Now another question, please. The old cable was the problem, now it is not hard to turn at all.

The power steering system was empty to replace the cable. I have turned the wheel and added fluid, started the engine and then turned the wheel and stopped engine and added fluid.

I have done this several times, and have now added almost two quarts of ps fluid. I'm new at this, so I have just learned there is a ps cooler too! Still learning!!!

Does anyone know how much fluid I should be adding, and could there be a problem? I don't think I have a leak, but it seems like a lot of fluid.

Thanks for the help!
jt"
 
"i'm no expert, and don&#3

"i'm no expert, and don't know the capacity, but you have the resevoir, the cylinder, the lines, and the p.s. cooler. i would think it could easily hold 2 quarts, but not a whole lot more than that. you may want to have someone work the wheel back and forth while the engine is running on muffs, and catch some of the exhaust discharge water at outdrive. make sure it doesn't have oil in it. this would be caused if you have a internal p.s. cooler leak. other than that, you should see it in bilge if it's leaking elsewhere.

good luck"
 
"I have not had to add any mor

"I have not had to add any more fluid, so I believe the 2 quarts is all it needed.

Thanks for all the help!
jt"
 
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