2001 Martinique 2600 Steering problem. Won’t turn left

[Robtack76]

Steering problem, Please help!!

2001 Wellcraft Martinique 2600

5.7 Mercruiser with Bravo 3

Steering wheel stop left to right 2.5 full turns.

Two weeks ago I noticed I was having to make wider left turns than normal. Right turns were sharp and possibly too sharp. This past weekend left turns were nearly impossible while right turns were still very sharp. While anchored for the weekend I had one person at the helm turning the steering wheel, another watching the steering arm at the transom and me in the water watching how the outdrive responded to steering input.

I started with the steering wheel turn 100% to the right. The outdrive was angled far to the right as it should. I had the guy at the wheel turn it 1.25 times to the left, it turned freely and smooth, the steering arm moved as it should while he turned. When he got to 1.25 turns to the left (outdrive should now be about centered) the outdrive was still turned right just past 1/2 way to center, steering arm was about centered. I asked the steering wheel guy to continue turning left until I said stop: I stopped him when the out drive was at center, he only had 1/4 turn or less to go until he hit the left steering wheel stop position. Then he turned that last 1/4 to the left which put the outdrive and 1-1.5” left of center. We did this a few times to make sure steering cable moved freely, steering arm moved uninterrupted as the steering wheel turned etc. with the steering wheel 100% left the steering arm was 100% left, outdrive was slightly past centered. Then I manually moved the outdrive while I was in the water. It moved almost as far left as it did to the right, probably 1” more to right than left. Manually Moving from 100% left to 100% right the steering arm and steering wheel didn’t move until
I was 1” left of center then moved smoothly in conjunction with my manual movement from center to 100% right.

I wish I had pictures or video. The bilge area is clean, no rust or corrosion anywhere. The boat has spent its lift in dry storage when not in the water for weekends or a day in the lake until the past two months, I’ve kept it in the water, I’m a couple hours from the lake and taking it in and out every weekend consumes valuable lake time.

I’m far from a mechanic, so I called local Mercrusier dealer today (great reviews and highly recommended). They will be going to the marina to look at it. The service guy I spoke to said it sounds like a worn or rusted steering pin which will require the engine being pulled to fix...letting me know this will be an expensive fix. Here’s my questions:

1. If it’s the steering pin the the Gimbal Housing, wouldn’t it make sense to pull the outdrive off instead of engine out?

2. If it’s a warn or bad steering pin would it steer smoothly from 1” left of center to 100% right? Seems like there would be play or uneven movements that could be felt all the way up to the wheel and the steering arm wouldn’t move smoothly as the arm slipped on the steering pin.

3. If it’s not the steering pin, is it possible to align the steering by removing the cable at the steering ram turn the steering wheel to center, position the outdrive at center and reattach the cable? Or is there any way to realign the steering?

4. What else could it be if anything? Thoughts?

5. From what I gathered today with Merc. Dealer service guy labor, parts etc will be $1700-$2000. Does this sound accurate to replace steering pin? Is there a better aftermarket fix that may not be offered by Merc. Dealer?

Thanks for any help. Sorry for long post, wanted to give as much detail as possible.

[LMK]

hate that for you. I understand from reading about this that the easiest way is to pull the engine, that is some bad engineering.
What have you ended up having to do?

[Bt Doctur]

If you can move the drive and the steering arm does not move the arm/pin is worn and needs replacement.
The correct way is to pull the drive, engine and housing.When repairing the housing add the missing grease fitting
. Helps prevent this sort of thing
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/13480 ... Bravo.html