2008 AR230 Loose steering

[tdonoughue]

Also (in addition to what everyone said about measuring the jets & adjusting the steering cables), I have found my boat more sensitive than I would have thought to weight distribution. So pay attention to who is sitting where. Have passengers shuffle around and see if you get a better result.

Oh, and welcome!

 

[tdonoughue]

To address the sticking, go to the pool store and get some silicone lube that they have for rubber seals. Apply some of that. If they still are sticking, time to rebuild the plugs.

EZ-Locks are here: Cobra EZ-Locks . Made by a member here, @Cobra Jet Steering LLC . There is usually no warning. It may be that you don't have the plug all the way locked, but several have reported that they fully locked and pulled on them and then one day the let loose. The EZ-Locks put a positive block in place so that the plugs cannot possibly let loose until you remove the lock. Cheap insurance also.

 

[swatski]

Here is a post on EZ locks install with some tips and pics:

Here is the EZ locks refresher.

One more thing about EZ locks. Those really ARE easy, and I'm pretty sure I am the first person on the planet who managed to goof up with the install... But just for the record -- here is what I've learned.

1. Watch the @Cobra Jet Steering LLC video clip

2. Drill close to the top -- see the pictures below -- I goofed up on the right, the left is the correct location of the hole.

When installed in the correct location (left in the pic), the locks do not "lock" when the plug is "open".
I know... it is obvious. But I still managed to drill the first hole too low... Before I realized my mistake.

This is what you want to see when the plug is open:

View attachment 47399

And closed:
View attachment 47400

View from top (open/closed):

--

 

[slacher]

Here is a post on EZ locks install with some tips and pics:

VERY helpful!!! Thank you

 

[Gym]

Can you provide more detail on this? Not sure what to get or what to look for with those cleanout plugs. Are there signs that they might blow or does it just happen? When we were test driving it he showed us that he had put a small board and rope with it next to the plugs to help pull them out because they stick.

The EZ locks can be purchased from @Cobra Jet Steering LLC. They are very inexpensive and are a foolproof method of locking a properly installed plug in to prevent blowouts. A blowout can be caused by normal vibration or by bouncing over waves. It can blowout with enough pressure to destroy the rear hatch. It can also launch these $300+ plugs out of your boat. Whereas they don't float you have to limp home on one engine, then buy a new plug.

Also, if you can't easily remove & install your plugs you have an issue that needs attention. These plugs need to be removed at the end of each day of use. Lay them across the open plug hole to dry out. Failing to do this will result in frozen plug syndrome.

Once you get your stuck plugs out you may be able to clean & lubricate them to restore their functionality. If they are unrepairable you can buy a rebuilding kit to replace the lower part of the plug. You'll also need to clean the metal part of the tube they sit in.

 

[sethman919]

Honestly its not horribly expensive to rebuild the plugs. Its very likely they are the original plugs. Mine were frozen in. previous owner never took them out. I would just go ahead and rebuild them right away. I lube mine a couple times a year with silicone grease and remove after every outing and lay them across the opening.

Clean Out Plug Repair Kit

As for the steering, It sounds like you just need to realign it. there are a lot of factors at play in these things and the steering wheel wont always be straight to keep the boat going straight. As for loose, thats just these boats. there is a lot of play in the helm itself before you ever even get to the cable. just something you have to get used to.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

F Y I rebuilding a plug is actually misleading, the so called rebuild kit does replace the bottom half and gasket making it easy to install and remove however it does nothing to solve the blowout issues as that is the internal workings those plugs can blow at any time without warning , http://youtu.be/KhsnPrWt7nU Also the post about the bushings etc be aware that Yamaha has a cast nozzle rotating on a stainless standoff with no bushings etc the stand off is made to have a certain amount of clearance if you alter that by adding an insert that is just slightly taller than the original casting of the nozzle at the pivot point you defeat the intentional free play built into the nozzle so just be sure that the part is never thicker than the nozzle and that it can move up and down when the bolt is tight.

 

[scokill]

F Y I rebuilding a plug is actually misleading, the so called rebuild kit does replace the bottom half and gasket making it easy to install and remove however it does nothing to solve the blowout issues as that is the internal workings those plugs can blow at any time without warning , http://youtu.be/KhsnPrWt7nU Also the post about the bushings etc be aware that Yamaha has a cast nozzle rotating on a stainless standoff with no bushings etc the stand off is made to have a certain amount of clearance if you alter that by adding an insert that is just slightly taller than the original casting of the nozzle at the pivot point you defeat the intentional free play built into the nozzle so just be sure that the part is never thicker than the nozzle and that it can move up and down when the bolt is tight.

Very true. While there are design issues with the plugs, difficulty getting the plug in/out likely contributes to the potential of having a blowout. Having plugs easy in/easy out as designed and EZ Locks installed correctly pretty much eliminate plug blow outs.