Steering Wheel Shaking

weather · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2011 1:38 pm

I have a strange problem (to me), that sometimes while in neutral, or at idle the steering wheel will shake quite a lot back and forth (left and right). It's only happened when I'm approaching the beach, so in shallow water (5'-7'). At first I thought I was hitting bottom, but after shutting down and looking, I still had a good 18" of clearance. Then I thought it might be that I was slightly trimmed up (less than half, maybe 1/4 on the gauge), so while in deep water I trimmed up the same at idle and could not reproduce it. This has always been with both engines running.
The last time this happened, I started up only the port engine to move a bit closer to the beach, all was good (no shaking) except I was about to go in circles (yes...I know I should have expected that) so I started up the starboard engine, the instant it started the shaking started, turn it off - no shaking.
I've never had this happen except at the beach, and I've had it happen twice now, two separate days.
Could this be from the sand that is turned up in the water?

Idea's are welcome!

[EDIT]
I did find this post, which is exactly what I've experienced. No conclusion was given so I guess it's still open for idea's.
http://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=6942&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=steering+wheel+shake&start=0

Paul I. · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2011 1:44 pm

I am guessing, but because of the speed of the engine check the power steering pump. It could be low. Why the depth would have anything to do with it, I am at a loss.

weather · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2011 2:01 pm

Paul I. wrote:

I am guessing, but because of the speed of the engine check the power steering pump. It could be low. Why the depth would have anything to do with it, I am at a loss.

Agreed about depth, but it's only ever happened in shallow water, and multiple times.

aguyindallas · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2011 2:35 pm

When it happens, what angle is your trim at?

weather · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2011 2:41 pm

aguyindallas wrote:

When it happens, what angle is your trim at?

First time it was at 1/4 up the gauge. Next time, only trimmed up for 1.5 seconds or so.
I tried trimming up further than this in open water and had no issue. I don't suspect it has to do with trim, but of course I don't know for sure.

Lakebum · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2011 2:49 pm

i tried posting a reply but it disappeared. Sorry if this double posts.

We've had the same issue with our 328. It doesn't happen very often, so it hasn't been as big of priority as it probably should. For us, water depth doesn't matter. Only happens at idle, both in gear and neutral. It will rattle you a little bit the first time it happens, feels like the engine is breaking loose. On ours the power steering works off of the starboard engine only. I have noticed the fluid low when it happens, but not always the case, so I'm not sure if it matters. Feels like there is air in the line, cause if you turn the wheel from side to side it stops.
I've been told to replace the steering actuator, but I'm not completely sold on that and not ready to pull the aft bench seat out to reach it.
I'm eager to hear any advice, so if you come up with anything please pass it along. I've just learned to deal with it for now, but when it happens to the admiral and she is backing into the slip I am reminded over and over to fix it.

aguyindallas · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2011 3:14 pm

The reason I asked about trim is that this has only happened to us one time on our 298.

Early this year, we moved my boat from one lake to another. When we loaded it on the trailer, I trimmed all the way up. When we backed it off the trailer, I trimmed half down, started the engines and began backing off. When I was halfway off the trailer, I trimmed all the way down. At this instant is when it happened. I cant recall if it was the port or starboard engine. But I simply shut it off and restarted it and it was gone. It hasnt happened since.

Lakebum · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2011 3:34 pm

For us. the trim hasn't been the issue. I've only noticed it with the drives all the way down. I've even tried posting this topic on other boating forums, but nothing solid yet. Now that I'm thinking about it, I may have to sneak out to the boat this afternoon and see if happens on Tuesdays? :lol:

StirCrazy · **Posted:** Thu Sep 29, 2011 6:46 am

Same issues you described, I've experienced as well. When approaching the beach, or starting up to leave the beach, the shaking begins. If I recall, usually trimmed all the way down and I too think I'm hittin the bottom and immediately bring the trim up, only to find out there's plenty of water below.

Power steering is from the starboard engine on the 298, but I'm also lost on the cause of this. It doesn't always occur, and yes, turning off/on can make mine go away. Very interested in hearing what the culprit is also.

weather · **Posted:** Thu Sep 29, 2011 12:15 pm

At least I'm not alone with this issue. To date, I've not read that ignoring this issue caused other issues down the road (yet) and that was my biggest concern.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Thu Sep 29, 2011 12:44 pm

I can't give you an answer either. But from 6 years experience with a Four Winns and Volvo drive, I can tell you that it just happens from time to time, it is nothing to worry about, and it caused no harm whatsoever to our boat, outdrive, steering at all. I would just try to ignore it and enjoy your boats. Worked for me.

weather · **Posted:** Thu Sep 29, 2011 12:58 pm

Cap'n Morgan wrote:

I can't give you an answer either. But from 6 years experience with a Four Winns and Volvo drive, I can tell you that it just happens from time to time, it is nothing to worry about, and it caused no harm whatsoever to our boat, outdrive, steering at all. I would just try to ignore it and enjoy your boats. Worked for me.

Thanks. Consider it ignored.

MikeN · **Posted:** Tue Oct 25, 2011 9:51 pm

Sounds like the mystery continues as I posted the original question. However, at the end of this season I learned how to start the violent shaking on my 328 any time at the dock. Seems to happen easier when the engines are warm and hense the power steering fluid warm, not sure why. If I move the steering wheel back and forth very quickly (either in nutreal or low idle forward or reverse), I can start the shaking and then it continues on it own shaking the entire boat. To stop it, I either stop the starboard motor which has the connected power steering or turn the wheel fully to right or left.

I truely, think that when I am driving in tight situations (docking or backing up to the beach), I often turn the wheel too quickly back and forth and according to my volvo mechanic, the power steering gets confused as the valves open and close trying to pump the fluid and turn the outdrives back and forth with my steering wheel motion. I opened the engine compartment and watched the Volvo power steering arm shake as my boat was shaking. He said simply don't turn the wheel fast and save myself money trying to fix it. I have since learned to relax and turn the wheel slowly, and no problem since. Maybe your shaking is the result of you turning the wheel back and forth too quickly. It may be a design issue with the volve power steering system. You may want to test this next season and see if you can initiate the shaking as I can. I don't think you have to worry as others have experience this shaking mystery.

wkearney99 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:47 am

MikeN wrote:

He said simply don't turn the wheel fast and save myself money trying to fix it.

What, you've got Henny Youngman as your mechanic?

As in, "Doc, it hurts when I do this.. Well, don't do that."

Winter Sux · **Posted:** Wed Oct 26, 2011 6:50 pm

Most PS pumps are made by Saginaw steering gear division of General Motors. There is a pressure relief valve on the back of the pump that can cause this. A simple cleaning of that valve can often correct this. Locate the 5/8 inch flare nut on the rear of the pump. Using a 5/8 line wrench, remove the line while holding the 1 inch hex that it's threaded into. Then remove the 1 inch hex nut and don't lose the spring that is inside and wants to pop out. Once you have the 1 inch nut in hand you will be holding the relief valve. Clean it with aerosol brake cleaner and re-install. It's a good idea to change the O-ring on the pressure line as well.

John :mrgreen:

www.iFourWinns.com

Steering Wheel Shaking

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