www.iFourWinns.com

Here's a new problem (for me). On my Sundowner 205, when I hit the throttle to get up on plane, my steering wheel tugs hard to the left, sometimes so hard that I have to grab and hold with both hands. The pressure eases up once the boat is up on plane, but then I also notice turning is sometimes stiff.

I noticed a little tug at the end of last season, so I asked my mechanic to check the power steering fluid level, which all checked out fine.

Anyone else ever have this problem?

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2005 Sundowner
2008 Highlander V6

Swansea
It sounds to me like your power steering pump is getting tired. If you are a do-it-yourselfer, go to Crappy Tire and get some Lucas power steering additive or treatment. Drain the reservoir by removing the return hose (the clamped one, not the flare nut) and fill with Lucas. You will probably have half a litre left. If this makes it better but not perfect, do it again after an hour run time and that should fix it. If after all of this you notice a definate improvement but still tired, your pump is pooched. Check your belt tension as well. If you can turn the pump pulley by hand, the belt is too loose.

Above all, take the proper safety precautions before performing any work yourself.

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07 Azure AZ200,
Previous boat,
95 278 Vista,
And a lot of others.

Ontario, Canada