www.iFourWinns.com

How the heck are you supposed to grease the steering ram on the 278 Vista?!

My steering is pretty tight. No PS fluid leaks in the bilge, and both reservoirs are at the full mark and the fluid looks clean. No unusual noises either. It just feels like I have no power steering assist at all (or maybe very, very little). I thought greasing the ram might be a good 1st thing to do to rule out but cant for the life of me figure out how to get to it with twin engines and a generator in the way.

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

I could be wrong, but I don't think it's a grease able item. From what I understand, it's just a hydraulically actuated system. Is your steering cable in good condition or possibly kinked? It almost sounds like there is some sort of blockage in the pump or the lines.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

I also would think it is more cable related than the ram. In a boat of that age, if the whole boat only has that few hours, it may not have been adjusted in years, and has gotten out of whack somehow.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Take a hammer and lightly tap the pulley shaft.

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

There are no pulleys on a hydraulic rack steering system on twin engine I/O powered boats......

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

.....on the power steering pumps.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

.....on the power steering pumps.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

I read in my OMC manual and then my Volvo manual that you should grease the steering ram every xx hours with Triple C grease and I have ever since!

My steering was very tight and making sqeaking noises as I turned the wheel. It was as if I had no steering assist. Contorted by body in ungodly positions earlier, and greased the steering ram. Guess what? No more squeaking noise and my steering is feather light now!!! I bet the ram has never been greased.

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

Yep they call for greasing that with OMC triple guard grease (blue stuff, best water proof grease out there) every 6 months, I have always done it when I put the boat away and then when I re-commission it every spring, you have to turn the steering so that the ram is exposed and then coat the shaft with grease then work the steering back and forth. The steering actuator on the OMC Cobra also has a grease fitting that you can grease, not sure about the Volvo one. My steering is very light like an old school Chrysler that you could twirl the wheel around with a pinky....

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

So for all of you out there who didnt know you had to grease your steering ram, you've got some work to do!

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

That is my question?

Every boat Ive owned needed the steering ram greased. If you are unsure, check your manuals. Mine spells it out clearly in the checklist to lubricate the steering ram with OMC triple guard grease every xx hours.

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1997 Four Winns Vista 278
T - 4.3l EFI
Kohler 4esz Genset
379 hours as of 8/8/21

And I do have the service manaul, but too lazy to look but just curious. On the other hand, my boat has about 25 hours on it