Hey guys actually new to this group and new owner of a baja outlaw 25 with 496 MAG HO , hull says 800hr and did not scan the engine , tested it out last summer and everything went like a charm ! I have a good basic in mechanic and will simply do the maintenance by myself .

im planning on changing all the fluids and replacing filter spark plugs , impeller ( also tought of replacing the coolant but might old onto it another season ) . So as i posted on another thread steering seems to be loose but gimball and lower unit has been rebuilt ( no loose gimball ) so i assume my sterring helm needs to be change … anybody on here has change an helm because it seems that inside the console is really a bad place to work so any advice would help ..


also any general suggestion would help since im a new powerboat/baja owner !!

thanks

Marc

I haven't messed with hydraulic steering on inboards much but have done plenty with outboards. When outboards get loose steering feel, it's usually because air is in the system. I would assume it's a similar concept to an outboard and is worth looking into.

Do you have external hydrualic steering or the cable assisted steering? If its the cable assisted then I will bet its your assist ram. You can have someone turn the wheelside to side while you watch for excess play in it. No need to crank the boat to do this. I had a low hour newer 26 outlaw that would wander at idle because of the ram have play in it. Just a easy check to do. If you have full hydraulic then you possibly have air in the lines.

I have a cable steering … the reasons im saying it would be the helm is that when i move the steering from side to side nothing response not even the cables … loose really seems to be coming from console/sterring helm..but i could be wrong so could you help me spot the actual ram so i could also verify this also?!?

Look down right behind the motor at the transom assembly and you'll see it.

thanks i will have a look

Here's looking right down on it...it's right beside the power steering cooler...

It's not that unusual to have a few degrees of 'play' in the steering wheel at the helm with the standard power assisted cable steering, stock Bravo 1.

I have all of the parts to replace the steering from the helm back if you are interested.

A Teleflex tilt helm, new Teleflex cable, and the steering ram. It’s all out of a 272 Baja so should bolt right up and the cable is the correct length. PM me if interested. I can send you pictures. It’s all from my boat and was purchased new and used 1 season so is in great shape.

Thanks so much guys !

after removing the steering itself i could see the play comes from where the tilt machanism and helm joins eachother …. Cable and helm are pretty tight… but loose comes from the joints where they meet eachother … since im a newbie on the group here i cant post picture yet but qill keep you guy posted on this one

thanks !

marc