Steering Question

[Jim clear]

Hello,.



I have a question about my steering. I have a 2005 nx882 with a 150 hp xr6. Boat runs great and has pretty good speed. At the higher speeds, the steering to the left gets pretty hard. The right there is no problem. Cables all look good, I cleaned them and relubed them. When I had the cables unhooked from the sterring tube the motor was very easy to move back and forth. I see nothing wrong mechanically, is this something that is normal? My trim tab on the cavitaion plate is flat, there is no wing on it that protrudes down. Just got the boat last year didnt know if this is how they set these up. The plate was manufactured flat. Any help would be appreciated



Thanks

 

[Dan J.]

Your condition is normal with a cable rack helm. Your outboard has a RH rotation giving a RH hook to the propulsion. Left will be a bit firmer. You can add a high speed tourque tab at the bottom of your skeg to offset the hook a good bit. It rivets or screws into place for a permanent offset of RH at high speed. The pic in the link should give an idea. Good luck!
http://www.bellrpg.net/IMAGE100/0310-6191.jpg

 

[Jim clear]

Thanks Dan!!



Other than hydraulic, is there a better steering system out there for this that you would recomend?

 

[Dan J.]

Nope. For a V6 you have the option of various hydraulic helms or a dual rack cable. DO NOT let anyone talk you into a single rack cable helm for your application. It's a disaster waiting to happen. IMHO.



Sincerely, if your helm is fine other than the high speed torque just add the $15 tab at the bottom of the skeg and you'll be remarkably pleased in the difference. Good luck!

 

[Jim clear]

Thanks again Dan!! I will take your advice, would like hydraulic but $$$$ is a little tight right now lol.

 

[joe currier]

jim,

i hate to diagree with dan but there is another option.

currently you have a rack and pinion steering system, this system is esentualy a gear attached to your steering wheel this is the helm, then you have your cables wich have straight bar of teeth to be moved through a rack on the end in mesh with the helm.

the diamiter of the gear on your helm is about 1". hence steering tourque.

there is a rotary helm system that give vertualy no feedback it is less expensive than hydralic.

your cables rotate around a drum helm around 3" in dia and need less space under your console to be installed than your current setup.

DAN is correct that you must never use a single cable system on a motor this large.

you can find the no feedback system by teleflex at most marine dealerships,

or you can even order it in a catalog west marine will get it for you.

 

[Carl S]

 

[Carl S]

Teleflex also makes a NFB, "No Feed Back" Rack and Pinion steering helm. I believe you can buy just the helm by itself and it maybe a direct replacement if you already have a Teleflex rack & pinion system. The NFB helm maybe longer so you would need to see if you have the room under the dash and enough cable.

Check Teleflexs' website for possible info.

 

[Dan J.]

Other than hydraulic, is there a better steering system out there for this that you would recomend?

As requested by the OP in the quote above, I wouldn't recommend another solution than previously stated. I've always considered NFB's as just a different take on a rack, utilizing cables on drum to maneuver the outboard power source via steering cables. NFB helms will reduce the effect of the RH hook felt at the wheel, however, it comes at the cost ($$$) of a new helm plus installation (if room is adequate) and does not address the actual problem the OP inquired about (RH prop thrust torque), just the symptom felt at the wheel. I've riveted $15 torque tabs to skegs on dual cable systems over the years with outstanding results at hundreds of dollars in savings and associated labor at the same time, resulting in the similar handling of a more expensively replaced helm unit. It's one of those "eye of the beholder" type things, but I'll take a $15 solution at the source over a much more expensive shop visit for a new helm purchase and the accompanying down time any day of the week. Good luck!

 

[joe currier]

I hear ya dan and if i were jim i would try the tourque tabs first ( cheapest solution ) .

i was just presenting all the options. seemed you left out the option of the rotary no feedback. wich is less expensive than hydlalic.

I have not had the same experience as you with the nfb. as a matter of fact i've had nothing but great things to say about it. used it on 3 motors up to 200hp and weather you belive it or not you can literly let go of the wheel at 60mph as long as there isnt a two foot chop.

that being said if money was no object the i would do as dan says and go with hydralic.

hands down the best steering system money can buy.