Hi all,

I have been trying to figure out my friends boat that has a 290 OD. At slow
speed, the steering seems to shoot from one side to another with no vissible
movement from the tiller as seen on the inside of the transom. There is some
play on the the tufe which is housed on the gimble that holds the sterring
cable, but it seems to be pressed in and I do not see a way to secure it.
Though I do not think the play in it is enough to warrant the steering issues.
I also noticed later that the belt that drives the water pump and alternator to
be slipping, as the power steering pump is driven directly off of the water
pump. So I am thinking that there may sudden surges in power steering pressure
causing these eratic steering shifts. We will be replacing that belt but I am
wondering if the power steering pump should be driven off of the water pump, or
should we try to find a way to get it driven from the main pulley.

Thanks

Rick