Steering "catch" 180 degree rotation, then disappeared? '99 Pro Air DD

[Miljack]

I had an issue with steering on my '99 Pro Air (Direct Drive), just wondering if anyone else has had a problem like this? Steering was "catching" at 180 degree rotations (yes I was pulling a tooob for the kids), and it felt like it actually locked in position, continued to work the steering wheel gently, and it lessened in severity, then disappeared?

1. Can the pinion gear have a spot it in?
2. possibly something in the rack on the cable itself?

thanks

[teamseal]

Hi,
I would have your steering checked out ASAP, Take it to your dealer or to a tech that has experiance in steering systems in Nautiques. Could be a number of issues from the cable on back to the rudder and rudder port. We are currently installing a cable in a 99 Sport that had it's original cable and has not had the rudder serviced since it was installed new. we found a dry rudder port and a build up in side the stabalizer tube along with a extreemly stiff cable.
Lubrication is essential in the rudder port. One thing to look for is that the rudder packing nut and jam nut are tight.

[Miljack]

I checked out the rudder area, not there, and I service the packing box for the rudder shaft this spring. I even used Mercruiser's teflon waterproof grease in there. Steering has been great and smooth this year until this encounter.
When it happened it almost felt like a small piece broke off the rack or pinon and jammed in there for a moment...