Stiff turning

[Grady_Boy]

I have a "84" 226 seafarer with a 200 hp 2 stroke yamaha outboard. Last summer I noticed that the steering was stiff as well as seemed to have a click or jerkey feel. Then I noticed oil leaking out of the wheel. I had the unit connecting the wheel to the lines replaced which fixed the leak and it seems to have smoothed it out a little bit however; the stiffness still is there. It feels like its coming from the steering unit but, that new. Does anyone else have this problem or any ideas as to what it is?

 

[JUST-IN-TIME]

check fluid level first

if not then you need to hit up the steering shaft zerk fitting on motor

 

[Moxsea]

Had the same chronic problem. kept checking and adding fluid when necessary. Bled the lines manually a couple of times, saw plenty of air come out. But the problem persisted finally called a buddy with a power purge unit. ran it about 15 minutes before the last of the bubbles were out. If your leak is resolved you probably have trapped pockets of air. ask around about power purging the hydraulic lines, shouldn't be too expensive to do. Steering is seastar.