Hi, iam wondering what would cause super hard steering on my boat. The power steering pump is full of clean fluid, but when the engine is running the fluid inside the pump is not moving. wouldn't you be able to see the fluid flowing through the pump? Iam assuming the pump is bad, but its not growling or anything. Are there any other possible causes, before replace the pump? Thanx for the help.

read doc holidays thread

Check steering cable by unhooking it from servo if its binding it wont have proper power steering. Usualy the cable gets gunk and rust and nolonger slides free. Also you probibly will not see fluid agitating in reservior.

Grab the pully and see if it moves in or out or seems loose, And yes it is hard to see some times but at the right light you would see the oil moving a round a little, Also if you can turn the wheel all the way to one side and watch the oil, then unhook the pin behind the engine to the steering ram and see if it is better if not it might be the cable. They do sell p/s pump gauge checkers, here is a sevice manual that might help guide you thru the basic stuff. good luck. http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/16/16cov2_1.pdf