Sticky Steering

[TXHNTR]

I greased the steering system the other day.  when the boat is on the trailer it never "hangs or chines" but when under power and trying to turn left it hangs BAD but turning right it seems to be fine..  Any ideas of other things to check or replace?  It only does it under power, so its going to be a replace or repair nad test scenario.

[cyclone]

Are you running a lot of weight? My Epics have driven very differently when weighted, chine lock, cavitating, etc.

Look at your rudder to see if it's bent, or if it has been worked on. Look for grinder/file marks. Sometimes they are modified to make the boat drive straight with no preload, the preload is used to make the boat drive straighter through a slalom course. Just a thought.

My boats have turned easier right than left, due to prop rotation (LH) I have not experience chine lock unless I was heavily weighted, and it wasn't that bad, just noticeable.

[Bitzco]

That sounds exactly like what mine was doing until I greased the bar attached to the rudder mechanism. Did you do that? It is about two feet of metal rod under the floor in the trunk.

[blindside]

Ditto what Bitzco said.  I thought the cable may be going bad or something but greased that rod that slides in and out attached to the rudder and feels like new again.

[TXHNTR]

I greased the bar to the best of my ability but seeing as toyota didnt put a zerk fitting on it I dont know how well it ended up.  Any other directions to cure this sticky steering problem?

[TXHNTR]

an update and a serious problem.  I lubed the heck out of the metal pipe thingy that holds the steering cable in the back and i still have problems.  Turning right is no problem but turning left is EXTREMELY hard.  and when i make a left turn and then turn back straight the boat leans to the left but goes straight until i yank the steering to the right and then the boat straightens up.  Does this sound like a steering cable problem?  bad prop?  something else?  PLEASE somebody help me I dont want to be driving around completely unsafe.  HELP HELP HELP... and if it is the steering cable which one do i need?  if it is the prop which one should i replace it with? please somebody enlighten me...

[Ktown]

This sounds a lot like a steering cable problem.  I drove my friends Tige right before he had to change it and it was a lot like that.  It took a but load of force to get it off the stops.  After he changed it, it was like butter.  It made a huge difference.  I wasn't there when he changed it, but I know it took him the better part of the day to swap it out.  Like always, if you can find someone that's done it, you can save a lot of time.  Good luck.

[TXHNTR]

ok someone please enlighten me.  I replaced the steering cable, lubed everything from stem to stern and the steering is still way too tight.  like really hard to turn.  Anyone have any ideas?  maybe the steering assembly in the dash?  thats about the only thing i havent replaced yet.  Although when on the trailer the steering is not hard to turn at all, only under a load does it stick. HELP!

[Capt Rick]

Disconnect the tiller arm clevis. Move by hand rudder feel for tightness or play...rudder gets lubricated.

[TXHNTR]

and after i try that if it doesnt fix it what is next rick?

[Capt Rick]

New helm , try and see if effert changes with tilt in different position.