Off Course!

[85diplomat]

My steering is starting to squeek in the wheel! Is there a bearing in the dash? The steering has allways had some play in it ( just a little). I think it's a single cable. It look like a small rack and pinion setup hooked to a hydralic unit on the transom.Is there any adjustabiltiy? Can you rebuild them? If I'm gonna pull it it's getting reworked.

17'Diplomat I/O sbc 300+hp

 

[85diplomat]

My steering is starting to squeek in the wheel! Is there a bearing in the dash? The steering has allways had some play in it ( just a little). I think it's a single cable. It look like a small rack and pinion setup hooked to a hydralic unit on the transom.Is there any adjustabiltiy? Can you rebuild them? If I'm gonna pull it it's getting reworked.

17'Diplomat I/O sbc 300+hp

 

[Eriktheviking]

Don't think theres a bearing in your rack unit.Just replace it,Its not worth messing with.I replaced mine this year and the boat has never turned easier.I found mine at Go2marine.com .They beat any price that I've seen and ship it to ya fast.Its probably about $150. It very important to have the proper length for the boat.As far as play in the steering goes you need to open your hatch and have someone wiggle the drive back and forth.Look to see whats loose.I'm sure the clevis pin and the end of your steering cable is worn.But the most common reasons is the arm that runs to your gimbal is loose.Its a pain but it can be tightened.I believe Merc. makes a repair kit for this so check with your local dealer.It involves drilling holes in the top of your gimbal mount so you can gain access to the nut and bolt that are loose.They give you special plastic plugs to fill the holes when your done.I had to do this on the Senator I owned last year.Made it drive like a new boat when I was done.

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87 ENFORCER CUSTOM EDITION,454 MAGNUM SS ALPHA W/CUPPED 22 PROTESTOR PROP