Steering binding.

[wet]

Having a problem with it binding,grabbing for a second when turning either way.Pump and steering ram have been replaced.Only thing left I can see is the cable/rack.Parkrode36 I see your post from 06/16/08.If you are reading how did you make out.Has anyone had this.I have volvo 320hp on a 32 rink with 350 hrs. on her.The weel does have a inch or 2 of play too.

[ParkRode360]

Wet, the upshot was that I had a "shuttle valve" failure.  The part was on national backorder due to a redesign of the steering ram.  Volvo shipped it, it was installed, and worked great for the rest of last season.  It appears that it might be going bad again,and the marina has called a Volvo tech to look at it.  

I'd check to make sure that your cables aren't binding first (what everyone had recommended to me) -- hopefully there's something there (maybe a battery on your steering cable, or a kink or something) rather than the shuttle valve!

[wet]

Parkrode36. Thanks for reply.Haven't moved or rearanged anything on that side.Didnt have problem last year.My mechanic thinks steering rack/cable rinker has in thier is on the cheap side and can't handle the torque of the 320 hp.Looking into seeing if theres a better rack/cable settup out there.

[Looperman]

I had this problem on a 270 with the OsI drive. Turns out the mounting bracket for the outdrive was cracked on one side down by where the trim ram mounts. This caused interference between it and the transom mount plate. You can see a picture of it at  http://cruisingthegreatloop.com/gallery ... =49&page=2.  By the time we found it the symptoms were much worse that what you describe but it started as what you are saying. Volvo replaced the rack on this one too before we found the crack. Hope this helps.
Looperman

[wet]

Looperman. Got your picks.Doesnt look pretty.Hope thats not my problem.The only way to find out is to do a pull or do a lot of feeling around down there.Thanks for the info.I will show my machanic the picks and see what he thinks. I know a steering cable and box isnt going to be fun either.l