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Steering wheel needs adjustment


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Hi,

I noticed a problem with my steering on our last trip to Shasta.

I thought the steering used to be in a neutral position (you can read the "Malibu" name horizontally in the center of the steering wheel) when traveling in a straight line. Now it appears we have to have it turned almost 90 degrees to the left so now the letter "m" is on the bottom and the "u" is at the top when underway. This is consistent across all speeds (slow or fast.) How do I adjust this?

Any help would be great.

P.S. we just made it over 100 hours...

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Hi,

I noticed a problem with my steering on our last trip to Shasta.

I thought the steering used to be in a neutral position (you can read the "Malibu" name horizontally in the center of the steering wheel) when traveling in a straight line. Now it appears we have to have it turned almost 90 degrees to the left so now the letter "m" is on the bottom and the "u" is at the top when underway.  This is consistent across all speeds (slow or fast.) How do I adjust this?

Any help would be great.

P.S. we just made it over 100 hours...

This happened to my Echelon. I found that the key had come out of the keyway in the rudder shaft. The tiller arm was tight enough to not slip much, but somehow slipped one time to get my steering wheel off center.

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This happened to my Echelon. I found that the key had come out of the keyway in the rudder shaft. The tiller arm was tight enough to not slip much, but somehow slipped one time to get my steering wheel off center.

I'll take another look. I checked the rudder shaft and the arm and it appeared to be fine.

Edited by kona90
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Don,

Not sure about your late model boat but, on mine, I can unbolt the wheel with about 6(?) allen screws and then mount the wheel however I like. It's not a car though, a lot of things come into play when it comes to a straight wheel.

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Don,

Not sure about your late model boat but, on mine, I can unbolt the wheel with about 6(?) allen screws and then mount the wheel however I like. It's not a car though, a lot of things come into play when it comes to a straight wheel.

Looks like I have the same setup as you. I also notice some play in the wheel up and down. I'll take them apart tomorrow night and see what I find.

Thanks,

Don

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Kona...

We had the same problem. I looked high and low for any little thing that may have loosened up, but nothing was found. I also removed the steering wheel to re-position it (several times), but then the steering wheel (I have the one with flat bottom) does not have the correct reference points when turning from stop-to-stop because the flat area will turn differernt revolutions in each dirrection then.

I fixed the problem by adjusting the rudder trim tab. Now when I drive a stright line the steering wheel almost centered pefectly, and the boat still has a righthand pull (which I like, because it helps drive a stright line).

I hope this helps out.

Cheers!

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Kona...

We had the same problem.  I looked high and low for any little thing that may have loosened up, but nothing was found.  I also removed the steering wheel to re-position it (several times), but then the steering wheel (I have the one with flat bottom) does not have the correct reference points when turning from stop-to-stop because the flat area will turn differernt revolutions in each dirrection then.

I fixed the problem by adjusting the rudder trim tab.  Now when I drive a stright line the steering wheel almost centered pefectly, and the boat still has a righthand pull (which I like, because it helps drive a stright line).

I hope this helps out.

Cheers!

I have an 04 VLX, which has no trim tab Cry.gif

I don't understand how it can change??? I just hope a bigger problem does is not cropping up.

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I believe when the dealer had it apart they might have miss aligned it when they put it back on. I'll check it this weekend. We still have some play in the wheel when turning right to left. But at this point I'll check the other boats at the dealer and will send it back if needed.

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Kona,

Take your wrenchs to the lake this weekend and drop the helm. You should be able to realign the steering cable/bar with splines in the steering wheel shaft.

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Kona,

Take your wrenchs to the lake this weekend and drop the helm.  You should be able to realign the steering cable/bar with splines in the steering wheel shaft.

Woody's right(at least on my 03 SS LXI). Under the dash you can adjust the spline postion and then retighten.

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I just did this on my 04 vlx. Under the dash there are 4 7\16th bolts to take out of the steering cable assembly or whatever its called take that off and move your wheel where you want it and then put the steering cable assembly back on.

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