382 Steering?
 

I have a 382 with 500s and extension boxes. I have been happy with the performance, it does around 75 mph with 28" Bravos. Lately it seems like the boat has been pulling back and forth and it is hard to correct. I don't think it is bow steer because it does it with the drives over neutral and no tab. Sometimes the steering is fine, but sometimes it willl randomly pull to one side and it is very hard to correct with the wheel. I checked the fluid and it was actually overfull, but I drained some and it still does it. Do I have a bad power steering pump or cylinder?

Steve

Sounds very much like a power steering problem. With dual engines it usually isn't very pronounced but it can surprise you. I lost mine (blew a return hose) at moderate speed @50mph about a month ago and it wasn't fun, fortunately there were no injuries and the boat stayed upright, but that was one tight, unexpected turn. The torque literally ripped the steering wheel out of my hands.

You might want to have pump and cylinder checked, having them replaced if necessary is a cheap life insurance.

That was my guess. It has gradually gotten worse to the point today where I didn't even want to run it hard because it would randomly start pulling and it was everything I could do to hold on to it. Is there an easy way to diagnose a pump or cylinder? Symptoms don't seem like air in the line do they?

Steve

I'm not very familiar with marine cylinders, but I've diagnosed and replaced a number of pumps over the years. Telltale signs that they're about to go are all rattles and whines and, when you remove the belt, any noticeable play in pulley/axle/bearing. It'll cause the pressure to fluctuate and when it gets worse, intermittent loss of power steering.

I hope you get the problem solved as soon as possible. Your boat is plenty fast and you definitely don't want to lose steering at WOT. Or at any speed, for that matter.

I'm just going to bring it in on Tuesday. We're going out again this weekend and it really isn't safe like this. Thanks!

Out of the water, try to move the drives back and forth (left and right). Any movement would indicate a cylinder leaking by or air in the system. Check all of the hardware around the extension plates for the rams. I found a worn pin in one of mine at the beginning of this season. Didn't effect the steering or cause any darting, but it was worn pretty good.

Dave

On the trailer not running I can`t move the drives at all. I need to check for any noises at the pump yet. It sounds like the Latham systems also have a fluid filter that should be checked and replaced.

Nevermind my previous post, I played with the drives again and they move all over the place on the trailer while not running. The fluid is also overflowing from the resevoir again, and I just drained it to the correct level the last time out. It's starting to sound more like a leaking piston seal or air in the lines.