Steering issue...

So I have a minor steering issue I am hoping someone can diagnose from experience etc. I have noticed this for years now but am not sure what is causing it.

At idle and at planing speed, my steering is smooth and steers effortless, when driving at speeds around 10-15 mph with a bit of load on the rudder, I feel a little resistance while turning to right or back to center after completing a starboard turn.. Other than one little spot, the steering remains easy and smooth.

Is this the tilt helm, the helm base, the cable, or rudder? It is so minor that I have just dealt with it.

I know I shouldn't rule out the cable as that is the most often part that needs replaced in probably 98% of steering issues in our boats, but I have driven at least 4-5 boats with bad cables in them and replaced three of those myself and this issue doesn't feel like those did. Those felt like their was resistance all the time..

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Thanks Pete!

If it turns out to be the coupling? Where does one find that part? Do I need to buy the entire helm housing or at least the top half?

helm

Thanks for the drawing Pete. Was wondering what the inside of the tilt-helm looked like.

I have the same issue with our 99 except it’s when turning to the port side.   I replaced the steering cable this past summer as the boat was becoming difficult to steer.   The new cable fixed the hard steering but now I had a sticking problem when returning to straight along with a new click sound coming from the helm Assy.   I assumed a tooth on the pinion gear/shaft was worn because of the bad cable but didn’t see anything when replacing the steering cable.   

I checked out the Nautique Parts web site where I found a replacement shaft. I sent NP parts an email to verify I had the correct one.   Dave from NP responded very quickly and advised that “he wasn’t trying to sell me extra parts but thought the coupling in the tilt-helm assy. was likely the problem.” As there aren’t any parts available the entire assy. Has to be replaced. Their PN is SH91800P for the 99 and I think it’s good down to 93.

As I just pulled the boat last weekend haven’t had time to look into further. I am going to try and verify the problem before ordering parts though.

Just replaced the helm tilt mechanism last night.   Definitely tightened up steering but won’t know if it fixed the sticking problem at 20-30 mph until get the boat in water. Probably won’t be for couple more weeks.   Supposed to get 1-2” snow tonight.

I don’t believe the actual tilt mechanism has anything to do with the sticking issue. It’s the
two piece shaft coupling that’s inside the tilt assembly where the problem might be. It’s this coupling that allows the tilt mechasim to tilt up and down.   Sort of like a universal joint but doesn’t look like familiar universal joint.   

When I did get the old mechanism out, I noticed the screws holding the coupling together and to the shafts were fairly loose.   I wondered if this wasn’t the problem but since I had the old one out I went ahead and put the new one in. There are two hex head screws but not sure they can be accessed without taking the unit out. If you decide to work on this be careful. The steering wheel needs to be in the lowest postion to access the top mounting bolt. This puts tension on springs that hold the wheel in position. You don’t want them to release with your fingers in the way.

Replacing this was Nautique Parts recommendation as I was thinking possibly the steering
gear that drives the cable gear rack was worn.   In their exact words “we arent not trying to sell you more parts but you might want to check the tilt mechanism as this usually fails when the steering cable ties up.”

Glad you got it working. A great benefit of driving a S.N. is that steering and tracking are outstanding (when everything is working as it should).