Steering issues - Stiff

[che40000]

Looking for some help here. I just changed my steering cables because I thought they were creating the stiff steering. I think they were adding to it, but my steering is still stiff. When everything was apart each component seemed to move freely but back together its not great. When on the trailer its not terrible, but stiffer than I would think since everything moved so freely when separate. But when driving, it can take two hands to muscle it around - this happens at lower RPMs (when picking up a downed wakesurfer), and when tubing.

I've heard the steering stiffens up when rpms are high and steering wheel is turned all the way. That can be really challenging. Please help!

 

[Hot2Go]

On my AR230 I noticed very stiff steering slowing down or when just throttling up. After I'd get to no wake speed or in no wake mode steering would be easy again. At higher RPMs it was stiffer but nothing you couldn't handle. Have to realize this is not power steering, it's you and the cables lol. If the steering moves freely on the trailer there's likely no issue is my assumption.

 

[dgfreeze]

The above post is accurate, but like he said, if the steering is a little stiff when on a trailer, or just sitting in the water with the engine off, you should probably replace the cables. Just don't expect things to be a lot better. If you're willing to spend a bunch of time and money, you can upgrade to the newer style steering, where it gears it down a little, but it's not a "plug and play" system. That said, I do kinda wish I'd done it when changing my cables. I was a little disappointed with how little the stiffness was improved after just the new cables. Problem is, the newer system doesn't use the same cables, so I hate to toss my perfectly good cables for the upgrade.

 

[che40000]

Yeah, it would expect more resistance...but its two hands and a lot of force. Is that normal? I don't think I should have to be Hulk Hogan to one arm steer. My wife can't even drive the boat, and she's no slouch in the muscle category.

How much does the Cobra fins play into this? I changed them from always down to flip up now...but didn't notice a ton of difference.

 

[Fastrat]

I put the fins WITH fangs on my 07 230 and I would say they helped...don't have a ton of comparison between the with and without though as I put them on shortly after getting it. That said, fangs didn't make it quite like power steering but I can steer mine with one hand while on plane, and it has older cables that I plan to change soon. I would say on plane it's about three times the force required when on trailer, gauged with my un-calibrated arm....I'm real happy with them. Without the fangs I'd imagine it'd be way tougher than without a fin setup.

 

[che40000]

Thanks Fastrat.

Has anyone had any issues with the bushings at the jet pumps or steering wheel or steering wheel connections?

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

You have the early helms they only have 1/4 turn for a full right turn or a full left turn if you have cables resisting at all on the trailer then you need to replace them remember the real force working against you and the helm is the water jet trying to keep- the nozzles straight when you try to redirect that huge jet force my steering is not the cause of your issue, the fins on my super steering actually change their influence levels considerably based on the position of the hull in the water so you get only what you need when on plane and all the steering you need when slowing down and the hull is sitting deep in the water. I added the power steering effect for the older style helms that are the 1/4 turn setup but if your cables are going bad that won't help .