I need some knowledge on the steering system of my bravo one with standard steering system (non-external). I had an issue recently with one of the trim ram anchor bushings, nut, and washer falling off and at the same time the steering became super loose. By loose I mean I could have the steering wheel upside down and the drive would be straight. I've replaced the trim bushing and nut and now notice that if I nudge the steering wheel back and forth a little bit at a time the wheel will slowly turn all the way around while the drive is stationary. I've checked the steering lever, gimbal ring, and all are tight with no up/down or side-to-side movement. Also, I am able to move the steering wheel about 2-3 inches in either direction before I feel it starting to actually move the drive. I am assuming I need to replace the steering cable but would like to know if there is anything else I can check/adjust. Sorry if this is covered in another post but I am in a time crunch.

Either the cable or the rack under the dash is the problem, I believe. Remove the cable from the tiller arm and see if it is connected to the steering wheel. Should be relatively tight.. at least the wheel should keep the cable from moving in or out..
It has been a while since I played with one, but the rack under the dash may have bolts that fell out?? Or the gears inside may be worn beyone repair.
Hope that helps.
Dick

Thanks for the advice. I contacted Checkmate to get the part numbers for the steering components and they said they have never heard of any of the teleflex steering helms going bad so hopefully it will just be the cable that needs replacing. I am going to work on it this weekend so I will update once I have figured this out.

It's just my 2 cents worth, but I don't know if you have a power steering pump, if you do, it really sounds like you have a worn out pump. I am a 4x4 guy and upon replacing my last motor, I installed a brand new psp and had to have the pulley pressed on to the pump and it would still slip from time to time. After tacking the pulley in place, I found that the Brand New Billet PSP was actually a Billet POS! It would work great at higher rpms in 1st and 2nd gear but idleing and moving without my foot on the gas was a real upper body workout..sometimes??!

I do not think it is the pump because turning the wheel at any RPM takes zero effort. It is just short increments that it seems like the helm is not catching the cable and the wheel just rotates; causes headache when at idle speed. However, if I make large turns the boat will maneuver normally. Anyway, I've ordered a new cable and helm and will swap them out once they arrive. Hopefully this will resolve the issue. Thanks again for the all the input.

think you need new helm and cable, either will be worn from other. save time and trouble and replace both. when it came loose, it must have accelerated wear to helm/cable.

let me know if you need a new cable and helm got plenty $60 plus the ride
Gene B

Sorry for the delay guys, just got back from vacation. Well, I replaced both the cable and the helm which seems to have resolved the slop in the wheel. However, the wheel is now hard to turn to the right, but can turn with one finger to the left. I installed the same size cable that was installed originally so I can't imagine the cable is binding anywhere; and by looking at it there is no where for it to bind. For the life of me I cannot recall if this was also part of the original problem or not. I am pretty sure I was able to turn it both ways before with ease. Anyway, I will do some more digging...any suggestions are welcome.

What happens to effort in both directions when the cable is disconnected from the tiller arm? If it works freely in that senario, then the problem is not with the new cable and helm.. Try to split the system in half and see where it leads you.. It should be same effort in both directions..

U might have a bad steering actuator as I m thinking but really had to tell by your post description.

if you run the motor on the water hose is the steering wheel hard turning it one way but not the other way, or if you let go of the steering wheel does the steering wheel / drive move all by itself to one side?

If so you mostly have a bad steering actuator. Have been seeing more and more of these bad lately. Good luck.