Very stiff steering
 

Have Marine Machine full hydraulic steering on 37' 500efi's. Very stiff at all times basically like no power assist. Pump is full and fluid doesn't smell burned. Any ideas on where to start looking? It's a pretty workout turning the wheel.

Is it easier at higher RPMs?

No sir it's the same at all times

Someone said possibly the ram or rams could need a rebuild? Another said the pumps on these 500's and 525's don't produce enough pressure and needs a hole drilled somewhere?lol

Open the cap and see if fluid is flowing. Whoever told you to drill a hole somewhere, disregard that idea.

Lol I kinda threw the drilling out the window already!! Alright I'll fj the fluid sir for circulating sir. Thank you!!

Replace the pump.

Ok guys replaced the pump and still too hard to turn. Did help it a little, but very little.. Any other ideas or suggestions would be much appreciated. Going to check the filter tomorrow, but idk if that could/would caus this?? Always the same stiffness regardless of RPM's.

Was just doing some searching and read about what fluid to use. Is it possible the "power steering fluid" is too light for the system and I should put "ATF fluid" in it instead??

My Zeiger system does call for ATF but I doubt that's your problem. If you haven't checked the filter yet, that could be your problem. Just see if you can blow through it.

I do like ATF (Type F) instead of power steering fluid.

I dont know what it could be but when I blew a ram seal and lost all fluid it was hard to steer all the time, until I put more fluid in, or fixed it of course.

Does it have an external reservoir?????

Is the a possibility a filter was never installed? It has Marine Machine steering and I can't see a filter anywhere? Don't see a place where one used to be either. Though maybe it jurst got removed by someone along the way? Any suggestions as to where to look on a 2000 37'? Only spot I cannot see is where the lines are running in the tubes of course.

Yes it has the black plastic res directly above the pump

I don't have any leaks that I can see anywhere and the resovoir stays full all the time

Can you post a pic of this set up and how its connected to your regular PS pump reservoir???

I can snap a pic later today lol. It has the tube running straight to the plastic resovoir above pump and the high pressure line that screws into the back of pump.

The filter should be on the high pressure side. Trace the line from the back of the pump. the filter should be between the pump and helm unit. Usually mounted on the stringer closest to the pump.

http://www.everettperformance.com/PD...se_Drawing.pdf

I have the same problem with mine at idle. Its better when rpm about 1200+. My pump has been drilled and it did make a slight improvement. I dread docking/loading. !! Anyway I was told I needed to replace the pump. May be interested in one of your pumps Faster Daddy.
Pat told me that there is NOT a filter installed (at least on Savage w/ 500EFI)