Steering STIFF

[Coyote]

Greetings::::

have an unusual issue with our NEW(2 months) to us 84' Hunter 31' --

the STEERING is unusually stiff,,, seems like operating a car with No Power Steering,

Pulled the Compass off the Binnacle, and sprayed WD-40 across the visible chain, and had little effect,,, will pull off the auto pilot and see if that has an impact,,

my "Diver" inspected the rudder and said there was nothing unusual --
curious to see if this has been a concern for other owners,,,,

Thanks!

Coyote

 

[Deadline]

Is the wheel brake on?

...beside the pedestal.

 

[Coyote]

Brake Removed

The Previous Owner removed the brake when the Auto Pilot was installed,,
when the Brake on the Auto Pilot is dis-engaged, the steering is stiff,,

 

[Manny]

Check the cables to the quadrant

If the cables were over tightened you would get stiff steering.

Manny

 

[Warren Milberg]

I had the same problem

with my 1986 H28.5. I found the problem to be rudder bearings that begin to tear away from their seating. This results in the rudder stock binding against the rudder tube -- not a good thing. Some owners have fixed the problem by re-seating the rudder bearings with new screws and more of them. When I took my steering gear apart, I found the rudder bearings to be worn out, that is, the center hole had become something of an oblong so no matter how I might re-seat the bearing, it would never allow the rudder stock to be centered on all points of steering. I had new upper and lower rudder bearings fabricated (I do not believe they are stocked by Hunter). BTW, you probably also have Merriman steering. In the course of removing the steering quadrants in order to remove/replace the bearings, I noted hairline cracks in the quadrants where they connect to the rudder stock. I had them welded. So, if you follow this route, carefully inspect those 24 yr old quadrants. I never would have noticed this problem -- until it was too late -- if I had not decided to replace the bearings.

Always something with a boat....