Helena Frye
There are many reasons why the steering on a boat might not work. Steering issues can be caused by leaks leading to low fluid levels, air in the hydraulic system, or the hydraulic fluid needing a change. Corrosion around the steering cable can also cause problems, especially in saltwater boats where salt speeds up the corrosion process. If the steering is unusually stiff, it could be due to a lack of grease on the motor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Corrosion around the steering cable | Restricts normal movement, causing stiffness in the steering |
| Lack of grease | Components may not move and function as intended |
| Air in the hydraulic system | Causes the steering to feel soft or mushy |
| Low fluid levels | Caused by leaks; leads to steering issues |
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What You'll Learn
Corrosion around the steering cable
If your steering is unusually stiff, you should check to make sure there is adequate grease on the motor. Grease is necessary to keep the components moving and functioning as intended. Without this lubrication, the steering wheel may be difficult to turn. You should look under the power head of your motor where the motor pivots on the shaft. If disconnecting the steering arm fixes the issue, then your engine, stern drive unit, or rudder are having trouble moving freely. Each of these usually requires grease to function properly. They should all be inspected and greased at least annually to prevent issues. First, find the grease fitting and add a little grease to see if this will fix it. Be careful not to add too much, or you can blow out the seals, depending on the type. If adding grease doesn’t fix the issue, it is time for the boat to come out of the water for inspection and repair.
Leaks can also lead to steering issues. You should check your hydraulic fluid level before heading out. This is normally done at the helm. The hydraulic helm should have a removable bolt or screw at the top. This is where you can check fluid levels and add fluid if needed. Always add fluid in stages, turning the wheel from lock to lock several times in between. This will help bleed air and distribute fluid through the system. Larger vessels may have a separate reservoir for hydraulic fluid. If your boat is equipped, this is where you will check/add fluid if needed.
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Lack of grease on the motor
If your boat’s steering is unusually stiff, it may be due to a lack of grease on the motor. Grease is necessary to keep the components moving and functioning as intended. Without this lubrication, the steering wheel may be difficult to turn.
The engine, stern drive unit, and rudder all require grease to function properly. They should be inspected and greased at least annually to prevent issues. To fix this problem, first find the grease fitting and add a little grease to see if this will fix it. Be careful not to add too much, or you can blow out the seals, depending on the type. If adding grease doesn’t fix the issue, it is time for the boat to come out of the water for inspection and repair.
Corrosion around the steering cable can also cause stiffness in the steering. This is especially problematic in saltwater boats, as salt speeds up the corrosion process while simultaneously leaving behind grains of abrasive salt. Depending on the severity of the corrosion, you may be able to clean the cable by scrubbing it. There are several high-quality motor cleaning products that work wonders on steering cables. Just ask an employee at your local boat supply store for a recommendation.
If your boat has a hydraulic steering system, unresponsive steering could be a sign of air in the hydraulic system or the hydraulic fluid needing a change. Bleeding the system will purge it of the old hydraulic fluid and any air in it. Leaks lead to low fluid levels, which can also cause steering issues. You should check your hydraulic fluid level before heading out. This is normally done at the helm.
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Air in the hydraulic system
To check for air in the hydraulic system, you should first check the hydraulic fluid level. This is normally done at the helm, where there should be a removable bolt or screw at the top. If the fluid level is low, this could be the cause of the air in the system. It is important to always add fluid in stages, turning the wheel from lock to lock several times in between. This will help to bleed air and distribute fluid through the system.
If the fluid level is not low, then the problem may be with the hydraulic fluid itself. Over time, hydraulic fluid can break down and become less effective. In this case, bleeding the system will be necessary to purge it of the old hydraulic fluid and any air in it.
Larger vessels may have a separate reservoir for hydraulic fluid. If your boat is equipped with one, this is where you will check and add fluid if needed. It is important to periodically check for leaks and top off the fluid to prevent steering issues.
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Low fluid levels
If your steering is unusually stiff, it could be due to a lack of grease on the motor. Grease is necessary to keep the components moving and functioning properly. Without this lubrication, the steering wheel may be difficult to turn. You should look under the power head of your motor where the motor pivots on the shaft. If you find that the steering arm is the issue, you should grease the engine, stern drive unit, and rudder, as these usually require grease to function properly.
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Engine, stern drive unit or rudder issues
If your boat’s steering is unusually stiff, there are a few possible issues with the engine, stern drive unit or rudder. Firstly, check for adequate grease on the motor. Grease is necessary to keep the components moving and functioning as intended. Without this lubrication, the steering wheel may be difficult to turn. If this doesn't work, check the steering cable for corrosion. Rust and corrosion can restrict the normal movement of the cable, causing stiffness in the steering. This is especially problematic in saltwater boats, as salt speeds up the corrosion process. If disconnecting the steering arm fixes the issue, then your engine, stern drive unit or rudder are having trouble moving freely. Each of these usually requires grease to function properly. They should all be inspected and greased at least annually to prevent issues. If your boat has a hydraulic steering system, unresponsive steering could be a sign of air in the hydraulic system or the hydraulic fluid needing a change. Bleeding the system will purge it of the old hydraulic fluid and any air in it.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why your boat's steering might not be working. It could be due to corrosion around the steering cable, which can restrict its normal movement. It could also be because there is inadequate grease on the motor, which is necessary to keep the components moving and functioning as intended. Another reason could be leaks leading to low fluid levels, which can cause steering issues.
If you notice that your boat's steering is unusually stiff, it could be a sign of corrosion around the steering cable. Corrosion can restrict the normal movement of the cable, causing stiffness in the steering. This is especially common in saltwater boats, as salt accelerates the corrosion process.
If your boat's steering is unresponsive, it could be due to air in the hydraulic system or low hydraulic fluid levels. Bleeding the system will help purge it of old hydraulic fluid and any air in it. You can also try adding hydraulic fluid in stages, turning the wheel from lock to lock several times in between to distribute the fluid evenly throughout the system.
