Starliner steering issue

[jrzvike]

I have a 21' Starliner open bow with fairly newly installed (2 years) cable steering. Had the boat out yesterday and I lost steering control at all speeds. I could turn steering wheel but motor would not turn. I actually had to turn the steering wheel several times to get the motor to turn a little bit so I could limp back to slip. As I turn the wheel, I can feel "bumps" where it seems like something is trying to grab but then slides. Finally it will lock in a little bit and the motor will turn a bit, then the wheel will slide again. Seems like something is loose at the steering wheel. I started to take it apart yesterday and thought I better not just in case there are seals, springs, etc...that may pop of when I loosen the 7/8" nut holding the steering wheel assemby on to the housing.

 

[kalugs22]

Check your bolts where the rack mounts on the helm. There should be 7/16 bolts that hold the rack to the helm, if they are loose then that will cause the problem. If that doesn't fix it then I would take the rack off the helm and check where they mesh together and see if that's where the slipping is happening.