Ongoing steering issues 196

[TRST]

On going issue still not resolved. My steering binds and releases when going from right to left. only under load and only when turning right and then going back to the left. It kind of catches and then releases. I have replaced the cable, tilt helm and repacked the rudder. The only play I can "see" is in the connection between the rudder arm and clevis. The only things left are the clevis, tube, ball and socket bracket on the stern and the helm 1/2 of the rack up front.

Any more ideas? I am about to order the clevis but I hate to keep throwing parts at this.

[ScooterMcgavin]

Just throwing this out there but isn't there some sort or steering rack( or mechanism) that the cable feeds into under the dash behind the steering wheel? Maybe it's getting bound up there. I would suggest unhooking everything and try to move each part separately and individually to see if you can feel the bind. Move the rudder by hand with out the cable connected. Unhook the cable from the steering wheel and then turn the wheel both ways to see if you feel the bind. Then check your new cable make sure it moves freely. Just a thought

[NCH2oSki]

Mine did the same thing after I replaced the steering cable this spring. I found that the cable was in a bind going from the helm under the deck. I worked out the bend into a larger radius and so far so good.

[TRST]

It's extremely smooth on the trailer and it only reveals under load while underway. It did this before and after cable replacement. Things are pretty congested in the deck with heater hoses but that's a good idea to check the radius. Anyone know if it's normal to have some play in the clevis connecting the cable to the rudder arm?

[JayG80]

Try adjusting the trim tab on the rudder. Loosen the 2 Phillips screws and pivot the small tab and tighten in another position. I know this solved the issue for me and a few others that I suggested it to. Please let us know if it fixes or at least changes the severity of your steering.

[nukemustang]

Could the rudder be torque loaded?? I mean it is not directly centered behind the shaft when it is turned hard over and with you having the boat in reverse, it is causing a "suction" across the back of the ruder towards the bow of the boat. Just a thought since you said it happened before and after the parts swap. You mentioned it is smooth on the trailer, does it happen when you in the water but are not moving (i.e. boat in neutral and not underway) too?

[TRST]

The rudder is adjusted and properly loaded. Not a neutral rudder issue. I'm still thinking the play in the clevis shouldn't be there.

[jhersey29]

Have you tried to load the rudder by human hands to reproduce the issue? 3 people. One on wheel, one on rudder and the third searching for the bind?
Sent from my RM-877_nam_att_205 using Tapatalk

[TRST]

Just got this in the mail. Much beefier than original and has a bushing instead of just the shoulder bolt. The clevis was the only obvious slack/slop I could find in the system so I am hopeful that this will be the solution.

[ScrewPusher]

when you said you re-packed the rudder, did you remove the rudder, clean off all the old hard grease/crud, then re-install and use the grease gun to fill? I had a similar issue years ago on my 196 and once I pulled the rudder, cleaned it and the stubb tube and started greasing from scratch it worked great. Only happened at speed when you needed to be able to turn quickly.

[malcolmskis]

Ok Guys, I have a 2000 sport with the same issues. Been in the shop 4 times. New cable, repack rudder, check helm. NOW I think I found it. The cover over the rudder
in the boat has been scraping the plastic that the carpet it glued too. I have wear marks on the bottom of the cover. I think the cover gets old and flex causing this. Then you
load the boat with gear in the trunk and it will flex. The cable bolt is the one. I have pictures too. Going to do a lake test tomorrow !

[j2nh]

You need to check the rudder assembly including the flange that holds the rudder. I have seen two of these cast flanges cracked and caused the whole assembly to move, slightly, under load. You can see the cracks on two sides of the flange base. I can't say if this is the root cause of the problem but it should be on your checklist. Let us know what you find.

[NautiqueJeff]

There was a recall back in 2010 for cracked rudder ports like the one above.

http://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/fo...der-port-issue

[j2nh]

There was a recall back in 2010 for cracked rudder ports like the one above.

http://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/fo...der-port-issue

The two cracked ports, one in the photo, were from 2005 196's. These were never recalled but should have been.

[TRST]

No visible crack and the bolts are tight. I replaced the clevis but didn't get a chance to get out over the weekend. It's not like the steering is stiff it actually binds and then releases. It's fairly subtle and when it started I thought it was in the helm. And by repacking I mean I dropped the rudder, cleaned, replaced the packing material, reassembled and greased with the gun.