Merc stern drive, 496 w/Bravo XR ITS. I removed and reinstalled engine and outdrive. After reassembly I followed the Merc manual's "bleed" procedure which is fairly simplistic. The steering is still erratic and sometimes under responsive at slow engine speeds. At higher engine speeds (2000rpm), and thus boat speeds, the steering seems fine, but as soon as you slow it seems I'm two handing it left and right over controlling the boat trying to find center. Almost as if there isn't even stops at times like the wheel will keep spinning to one side then you can't tell how far you've gone.

Any suggestions? does it still need to be bled more? Should I crack a line?

Thanks in advance!

Single or dual ?

Mercury ITS Transom Assembly / Valve Block Assembly

Single 496HO

Thanks for the link, there is someone mentioning "pinching" off a return line but the 496 manual has no such info. Maybe the drive manual?

The fluid will take the path of least resistance, if the return is not closed the fluid most likely will not flow through the rams and return to the bleeder block, I did a long write up on how I did mine couple years ago on here but cant find it.

Makes sense, it's definitely not working itself out on its own no matter how much left and right cycles I put it through.

My drive guy who has done 100's of these, told me to close off the return, hook a clear line from the bleeder block to the reservoir, crack the bleeder then turn the wheel to the right while keeping the hose submerged and the reservoir full till no more bubbles, I must of turned it 30 40 times, then close the bleeder and repeat the process while turning the wheel to the left

Thanks for the info, I'll give it a try tomorrow.

Ahhhhhh Got it! There was a bleed procedure in the engine manual, but that's probably mainly for the PS pump, not the outdrive assembly. The Bravo outdrive manual details the procedure you are talking about. Thanks for the help!