Bad steering vibration

[blindmnkee3]

Hi yall, 1st time poster here. We picked up our 1st Malibu about 4 months ago, a 2005 23 LSV. We love the boat but have had such bad luck this year. One of the problems I'm dealing with is a major steering wheel vibration. It only happens when we are first pulling the wakeboarder out of the water. It gets really, really bad when we are running a lot of weight. It honestly feels like the entire steering column is going to break off and there is a very loud rattling noise. It only last for about 2-3 seconds and then all is well. When we are up to speed, there are no vibrations and everything is smooth. I've been reading lots on these forums and on wakeworld.com but I can't seem to find many people who have had similar problems. From what I have read, my options could be......

Replace the entire steering column and assembly including the steering cable. (This is the last option if I can help it at all)

Have the prop tuned (could someone enlighten me as to how this works???)

Replace the prop (I will be doing this next spring anyways. Upgrade to the 1235 for better hole shot)

Grease the rudder bearings

Anything else I should look for. At first it wasn't really bad and I could have lived with it but in the past few weeks it has gotten noticeably worse.

Any ideas?

Lastly, I will eventually take it in to the dealer but they are an hour away and very busy so I'm trying to avoid being off the water for 2-3 weeks. Our season will be winding down in another month. Yay for living in the NW!!

Edited August 6, 2009 by blindmnkee3

[CRASH]

Steering rattle is not all that uncommon. The old fix was to replace the cable malibu has since came up with what i call a rudder hammer because of its shape. It actually called a mass dampening rudder arm. It is essentially a counterweighted steering arm it darastically reduces the rattle. This is standard on 2010 models

[Jimmypooh]

Steering rattle is not all that uncommon. The old fix was to replace the cable malibu has since came up with what i call a rudder hammer because of its shape. It actually called a mass dampening rudder arm. It is essentially a counterweighted steering arm it darastically reduces the rattle. This is standard on 2010 models

I have the same issue. Is there a picture that we can look at and can it be retrofitted to an older boat?

What does replacing the steering cable actually do? I would think we would have the same issues unless there is something different about the newer cable.

[23LSVDAVE]

New rudder arm will solve the problem. I had the exact same issue with my 2008 23lsv. They can replace it with a new design that will make it feel perfect. The dealer just did mine under warranty. Malibu will tell you it is an "upgrade" for your boat im sure, but it would be worth every penny. The new one weighs about 3x what the stock one did on my boat, and it takes out all of that vibration. Good luck!

[Lance B. Johnson]

just a thought here.......and a really cheesy/ low budget one.(keep in mind I make teachers wages)

One could use a hose clamp and essentially strap a weight to the tiller arm. I have a perfect block of steel for the job I think.

This might actually be a good way to diagnose the problem, later go back and replace it with the upgrade.

[bu ford]

Our "rudder shudder" started after we bent the prop the first time and had it repaired.

The prop looked good, but it must have had some imperfection that somehow affected the rudder.

There was shudder when pulling someone up and a very slight vibration at certain loads/Rpms.

Ran it for over a year like that.

A month ago the prop was damaged bad enough we needed a new one.

Replaced a 537 prop with a 537.

Unbelievable the difference. It's like a new boat. No rudder shudder. Smooth at any load/speed.

See if you can borrow a prop from someone and see if it makes a difference????

[Lance B. Johnson]

Dont suppose anyone can find a pic of the new updated tiller arm?