Steering 'release' coming off center
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36224
Printed Date: November-16-2024 at 10:31pm
Topic: Steering 'release' coming off center
Posted By: Keith
Subject: Steering 'release' coming off center
Date Posted: June-03-2015 at 3:53pm
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I replaced my steering cable in my '97 Sport Nautique early last season. Since then, I notice a very slight steering resistance then 'release' when coming off center when under power (20 + mph.) and more pronounced at higher speeds (30 +mph). I notice it most when driving the oval at our lake, which is all left-hand turns - straight, hard left turn, back to straight, repeat. In other words, once on center (i.e. steering straight) there develops some resistance and then a 'release' when turning from center. I assume this has to do with the position of the steering arm and the transition from 90 degrees (i.e. from pushing to pulling and visa versa). Again, only at higher speeds. Not noticeable when < 20 mph. I don't know if this is a problem with a) position of clamp holding steering cable near steering arm b) loose steering arm b) loose or warn rudder shaft (although no excess water in bilge) c) a function of prop wash d) some combination of the above e) something else entirely Thanks, Keith ------------- Former: /diaries/details.asp?ID=6170" rel="nofollow - 97 Sport Nautique 1994 Ski Nautique 86 Silver Nautique 79 Mustang |
Replies:
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: June-03-2015 at 7:50pm
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Keith, Go through your list of items that may cause slop in the steering. To me, it sounds like release is when it flips past the "top dead center" point, and the rudder shifts due to the slop in the system. Did you move the clamp tube in it's mount? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: June-03-2015 at 8:41pm
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Keith - I bet you get this fixed for free at the next reunion! ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: quinner
Date Posted: June-04-2015 at 9:50am
| Drove my neighbors new to him 96 Super Sport the other day and noticed a very similar condition with his steering. He just had a new cable installed and has a new prop as well. Be interested in what you find. |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: June-04-2015 at 1:40pm
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I wonder if you had someone hold the wheel from turning and you would try to turn the rudder if you could feel any movement? ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: Keith
Date Posted: June-04-2015 at 4:20pm
Yes, I did. All great suggestions, thank you. I should be able to look at it later tonight or tomorrow. Thanks, Keith ------------- Former: /diaries/details.asp?ID=6170" rel="nofollow - 97 Sport Nautique 1994 Ski Nautique 86 Silver Nautique 79 Mustang |
8122pbrainard wrote:Posted By: Aengenend
Date Posted: August-10-2015 at 6:43pm
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I have the same issue, also after installing a new cable. Did you find the cause? ------------- SN 93, Pro Boss HO, GT-40P, ACME 422 |
Posted By: M3Fan
Date Posted: August-10-2015 at 8:43pm
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I have the exact same problem. Just off dead center under power it binds then releases, Very annoying in the course and generally I find it at lower speeds like 25mph. My guess it is in the tilt mechanism, I went through the rudder/tiller/block/cable/rack and I can make it pretty clearly click from the helm. ------------- 2000 SN GT40 w/99 Graphics/Gel 2016 SN 200 OB 5.3L DI https://forum.fifteenoff.com |
Posted By: KRoundy
Date Posted: August-11-2015 at 3:14am
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So, something is loose, right? Any updates? ------------- Previous: 1993 Electric Blue/Charcoal Ski Nautique Current: 2016 Ski Nautique 200 Open Bow |
Posted By: JayG80
Date Posted: August-11-2015 at 5:14pm
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My 2002 Ski Nautique had the same troubling issue. I adjusted the trim tab on the rudder. I did not change the cable or make any adjustments to cause the problem but adjusting the rudder tab cured it. Just 2 screws. If your rudder is older and not adjustable, I'd exhaust all other possibilities first and then try a small grind on the trailing edge of the rudder. I have also heard of a Allen head screw that is through the shaft of the steering wheel.. It may be loose and cause a interference - or worse. See link http://ballofspray.com/forum#/discussion/13237/dangerous-steering-problem-sn-196" rel="nofollow - Dangerous Steering on 196 - Ball of Spray .com ------------- 2007 Ski 2002 Ski |
Posted By: JayG80
Date Posted: August-11-2015 at 5:29pm
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@M3Fan If you pull your decorative wheel cap off the center there is a single nut. Remove and remove steering wheel. Work off ribbed rubber boot that covers the tilt/helm mechanism...no need to remove dash components. Replace wheel without the nut so you can turn the shaft of the helm back and forth. If you turn it slowly while viewing the part of the shaft just deeper than the dash you should see at 180 degree intervals an allen head and a lock nut in a nut shaped recession. Tighten the allen head. ------------- 2007 Ski 2002 Ski |
Posted By: JayG80
Date Posted: August-13-2015 at 12:32pm
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Reference to my post above about the allen screw. My 2002 Ski Nautique with tilt helm does not have this allen screw. I was getting a click/grab this a.m. going clockwise around ski course turn island. Took wheel off and only found a few phillips screws around housing perimeter. No center allen screw. ------------- 2007 Ski 2002 Ski |
Posted By: M3Fan
Date Posted: August-15-2015 at 8:48pm
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At this point I'm convinced this has to do with rudder tab adjustment. It is not present at higher speeds so it's very speed-dependent. Generally right in the 25mph zone is when this odd behavior occurs. Pulling a 34mph skier in the course today the behavior was not present. It felt so mechanical when it was present but now I'm convinced it's not. Basically it feels like it's a hydrodynamic "dead zone" in the rudder/water relationship. I've adjusted the tab a bit and I'm sure that's going to get rid of it. The entire steering system otherwise checks out. ------------- 2000 SN GT40 w/99 Graphics/Gel 2016 SN 200 OB 5.3L DI https://forum.fifteenoff.com |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: August-15-2015 at 8:59pm
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I've never had a tilt helm apart nor do I know what's inside. What is the means of the shaft connection at the tilt point? ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: August-15-2015 at 10:23pm
I'll try to find a picture Pete. It really is a cheesy set up,you for sure would think it was a back yard job. Kind of reminds me of that clevis you posted on the ski pole.  This is the dash side Pete and below is the underside of the dash that mounts the rack to the steering. This is the part I had to change when I replaced my cable. The new cables use a wider rack,the original one will not bolt up to the newer style rack  The allen headed bolts that bolt the two shafts together use nylon self locking nuts,cannot see how they could come loose but it might be worth checking out. Kind of hard to get inside to tighten up too. Wheel has to come off,hub and bellows too and very little room to work ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: August-15-2015 at 10:36pm
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Gary, The tilt mechanism locking was mentioned and the reason I asked about the mechanism that allows the tilt. Yup, that"universal" sure sounds like a engineers attempt at back yard hacking!! I wonder if Walters designed it?  We'll have to wait and see if Joel's theory with the rudder tuning will solve the issue.------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: M3Fan
Date Posted: August-16-2015 at 3:16pm
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Sure enough, a small adjustment of the rudder tab and the symptoms are completely gone. Confirmed. ------------- 2000 SN GT40 w/99 Graphics/Gel 2016 SN 200 OB 5.3L DI https://forum.fifteenoff.com |
Posted By: tryathlete
Date Posted: August-20-2015 at 2:10am
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Thanks Quinner for lookin out for me! I'm going to replace my helm unit this Fall while doing other things. The PO had a frozen cable and I suspect he tried to use the boat with a very stiff cable for way too long and wore the teeth on the pinion shaft,or whatever that thingamajigy is in the picture. I have free play....measurable. Maybe gary s can take a look with me this weekend. He's helped me along the path of making this boat purr.... Lots of little gremlins have been solved and now it's just all fun. Looks like I'll be a late comer on Saturday but all day Sunday....so stick round! ------------- 2008 MasterCraft 197TT 1996 Nautique Super Sport 1988 Waterlogged Supra Mariah |
Posted By: tryathlete
Date Posted: September-08-2015 at 7:39pm
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Gary S found a loose carriage bolt holding the steering cable against the stringer. Gary just showed me a picture from a salvage parts NAUTIQUE that shows there is an aluminum plate affixed to the stringer for structural attachments. I'm going to drill and install a slightly larger fastener at boat storage time. ------------- 2008 MasterCraft 197TT 1996 Nautique Super Sport 1988 Waterlogged Supra Mariah |
Posted By: tryathlete
Date Posted: September-26-2015 at 2:13pm
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Ok finally got through the whole steering issue with the torque and release in the wheel at differing speeds. I repacked the rudder and all Of the tightness and looseness is gone. The packing I took out was completely dry and there was no lubrication at all. The catch and release came completely from the rudder packing being probably original from 1996. Now there's nothing but the feeling of power steering! ------------- 2008 MasterCraft 197TT 1996 Nautique Super Sport 1988 Waterlogged Supra Mariah |