hydraulic steering VERY stiff at idle
 

I'm running Marine Machine twin ram with a Char-Lynn helm and a 500 EFI. At idle, the wheel is VERY stiff. It literally takes both hands to turn. Only when I bring the RPM's up to 1200-1300 RPM and above, it eases out and acts normal. It makes it difficult when docking and trailering. It almost sounds like not enough pressure at idle. Marine Machine thinks my power steering pump may be defective or damaged. Any ideas??:confused:

Sounds like either a bad pump or do you have underdrive (smaller) crank pulleys? I know that when I put underdrive pulleys on my boat ( cuz I was waiting for the others to come back from being painted) that my steering at idle was really hard.

Jon

I'm running the original pulleys that come on a 500 EFI. I thought about swapping the pulley, but I don't think anyone is making any for a serpentine set-up - are they? I wouldn't think I would have to change it, being that other 500EFI owners can run the same set-up with no problems. I guess that only leaves the steering pump.....

would a small air leak cause something like that? Or bubbles in the system?

Jon

you know, that reminds me. I do have a hose that has a small leak. Also, after the motor has run, if I take off the power steering cap, the reservoir is pressurized.

Do you have the full hydraulic system or the half system? I have heard that the half systems can be difficult to steer at idle.

I have the full system. I did some checking, and I do not have a filter anywhere either.