Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Hard steering on my Chris Craft
Date:	8/1/2016 11:01:11 AM

For some reason last weekend the steering on the boat was very hard during turns with engine power.  Never noticed this before and am wondering if there is a simple fix.  Seems ok at high and low speeds but when I turn to recover a skier that has fallen it is very difficult to return the wheel to straight after making the turn.  Am at around 2500 rpm in the turn and when I try to get back straight it is very heavy to turn.  The boat is a Chris Craft Sundeck 262 with a Volvo I/O.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Hard steering on my Chris Craft
Date:	8/1/2016 7:08:06 PM

Call Steve.......let us know. Could be a pressure valve that is sticking..maybe a bent cable... Maybe, Hillary's fault. Let us know when it is diagnosed. When will the wife allow you to post again on Off-Topic???? Cheers.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Hard steering on my Chris Craft
Date:	8/4/2016 9:20:11 AM

Thanks GF.  Actually I don't post on Off Topic anymore of my own volition.  Too much brain damage for too little benefit.  I am waiting to hear from Steve but the idea of taking the boat back to Prattville fills me with dread.  No problem with a jet ski or my Malibu, but the Chris Craft makes me shudder (5,000 lb boat on a trailer just barely big enough for it).

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Sounds like......
Date:	8/4/2016 1:27:19 PM

....a loose nut behind the wheel to me... Lol. Seriously though is it different when turning left or right?  I think it could possibly be a broken tooth on the gears behind the steering wheel. A call to Steve is definitely in order.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Sounds like......
Date:	8/4/2016 4:43:55 PM

More likely a right wing nut behind the wheel with a couple of loose screws.  I will bug Steve.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Sounds like......
Date:	8/4/2016 7:20:49 PM

I suspect a power steering issue...maybe a misbehaving valve....have you checked the PS fluid?  The disappearance of the problem at high rpm is puzzling, tho.

Pls let us know how it turns out!

Name:	Tall Cotton -	Reply
Subject:	Hard steering on my Chris Craft
Date:	8/5/2016 11:43:58 AM

I'm guessing you have already checked all the belts for tension? I had this issue on my Monterey and a loose belt was the culprit.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Hard steering on my Chris Craft
Date:	8/5/2016 12:38:35 PM

Not much variety any more.  Two posters, Archie and GF/wix put up about 80% or more of the posts.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Hard steering on my Chris Craft
Date:	8/8/2016 2:01:43 PM

Yep, its a single serpentine belt and seems tight.  However, this weekend I noticed a lot of oil in the bilge so I suspect I have a broken line or the pump is bad.  Sounds expensive if its the pump as it is a boat.  Sigh.....

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Hard steering on my Chris Craft
Date:	8/8/2016 11:16:25 PM

Lot of good people on there but I just decided to do other things instead of posting in Off Topics.  Will continue posting on the Lake Martin and Maintenance forums. 

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Case is solved
Date:	9/4/2016 11:08:19 PM

The power steering pump was shot.  My neighbor came over to help me troubleshoot and sure enough it was the pump.  Added fluid and cranked up the engine and you could see it dripping out the front of the pump.  Turns out he had a rebuilt pump that was a perfect match and put it on for me.  Took longer than it should have because the flywheel was hard to remove and reinstall. 

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Spoke too soon......aaarrgghhh
Date:	9/15/2016 5:23:13 PM

Must be a leak somewhere else in the system because I am getting fluid in the bilge and had to add more.  Looks like I will need to get it to a shop to figure it out.  Sigh............

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Spoke too soon......aaarrgghhh
Date:	9/15/2016 9:47:04 PM

As they say in business.....pay me now or pay me later. It is always a great feeling when a DIY can fix something. Time to call the Catman.

How you doing? How are the girls doing in Europe? Is it study abroad or just a trip? I have a 20 year old relative who studied during the summer in Scotland,,,then traveled to Germany, Paris, and London before flying home.

GF

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Spoke too soon......aaarrgghhh
Date:	9/16/2016 1:36:46 PM

I know that's the right thing to do but I seriously shudder at the thought of the drive.  Did it once to get the gimbel bearing fixed right but I may try someone local first.  The jet ski or the Malibu, no problem.  The Chris Craft, ugh!

Girls are doing well so far.  Youngest starts classes on Monday.  Older one has been to Scotland and is now headed to Munich for Octoberfest.  Living the dream.  Wife and I are headed over on the 28th for two weeks in Denmark, Sweden and Norway.  Middle daughter will be with us the whole time enjoying us paying for her lodging and food and the youngest plans to meet us for a long weekend in Copenhagen before heading back to school.   As for me, all is well and work keeps me busy.  At the lake right now waiting for my wife and some friends for a weekend of golf.  Assume you are well?  I see you are still torturing the others on the Off Topics forum.  I check in every once in a while for a quick update.  What a political season.....

Name:	CAT BOAT -	Reply
Subject:	Hard steering on my Chris Craft
Date:	10/2/2016 9:26:20 AM

I just read this entire thread.  That steering system is a little more complex than a pump and a cable.  Either you have an overheating issue with the power steering fluid, or the brazil valve in the hydraulic steering system at the transom.  Possibly, the cable is slowly failing, but prolly not.  The power steering fluid can become really scorching hot, damaging seals and other parts.  (Prolly why you are getting leaks)  There is a power steering fluid cooler that could be stopped up????  Maybe why it tries to correct itself when you go faster, because the system is getting more cooling water!!!!  Call me next week, and we will figure it out.  Hope yall are doing well.

Steve

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Leave it to you....
Date:	10/3/2016 10:48:18 AM

... To come along take all the fun out of our speculating with absolutely no knowledge or expertise to back it up.

Name:	CAT BOAT -	Reply
Subject:	Leave it to you....
Date:	3/14/2017 10:17:52 AM

lol