FBRONCO

iTrader: (1)

I just got a 99 29 baja outlaw. It has lathem external steering. But it is an add-on system. There is a cable going from the helm to the starboard transom assembly. From there the actuator at the starboard transom assembly, the hoses for the external rams are attached. I believe this is a factory system installed from baja. There seems to be about 4 inches of play in the steering wheel when I turn the wheel with the motors off. I don't think there is play at the tiller arm. I believe there is play in the cable or steering rack or rotary. Is there a way to adjust this play out of the system? The port transom assembly is not connected to the steering system on the inside of the boat. Only connected via the external rams. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Griff

Is there 4" of play when engine is running????

dereknkathy

there is a bunch of play in the brazil valve when no power steering pressure. and that 4 inches. that is your hand going back and forth that much on the wheel? sounds close to normal. but have somebody work the wheel while you are looking at the other end of cable at the steering valve. you should be able to see the cable move with the wheel. if he moves wheel and cablr doesn't move for a bit, then play needs to be found. one bad spot to watch for is the cable housing not tight to the steering valve. you will see the outer housing go in-out mebbe 1/8 to 1/4 inch. that thread is aluminum and can gall. (get damaged even though not cross-threaded) so it'll feel tight even though it never got tightened down.

FBRONCO

iTrader: (1)

I don't know, I haven't had a chance to check with the boat running. The weather has not been good hear in the north east.

FBRONCO

iTrader: (1)

Yea, the 4 inches is my hand going back and forth on the wheel. I'll check for the cable moving at the valve on the transom assembly when a get a chance. I just feel like the cable can't really move at the transom assembly since the motor is not running and thus no pressure in the power steering system. And it's really hard to budge the outdrives when the motors are off. I'm pretty sure the tiller arm and swivel pin and gimbal ring on the starboard outdrive look good and tight, but I'll have to verify.

FBRONCO

iTrader: (1)

So is there basically not adjustment on the cable system if I do find slack in the cable or steering rack or rotary?

dereknkathy

With external steering, you can't move the drives when the engine is not running. Those cylinders are full of hydraulic fluid and they ain't going to let you move the drives. Now the tillers inside the boat are no longer being used. They're just there hanging in the breeze. It's the external hydraulic cylinders that are steering the boat. And no this is not an original equipment system. It has been added on. When the engine is running, is there any free play in the steering wheel before the outdrives turn?

FBRONCO

iTrader: (1)

The starboard tiller is connected to the steering cable. The port tiller is not hooked up to anything. I realize the hydraulic cylinders won't allow the outdrives to move when not running. That's why I'm questioning the play in the steering wheel when the boat is not running. I'll have to check what is moving when I turn the wheel, because the outdrives are not. I do think this is the system that was installed in the baja factory when the boat was assembled. It's basically what they call an add-on system with a brazil valve on the original power steering actuator valve.

dereknkathy

The cable is only hooked to the tiller to give that end a place for support, instead of hanging out in mid air. I assume there is an external tie bar attaching drives together?

FBRONCO

iTrader: (1)

Yep. the tie bar is on the outside. I have to admit, I don't understand how the brazil valve works very well and often wondered if the external rams can work against the cable and tiller arm at times? (maybe different speeds or pressure?)