Steering suddenly stiff and noisy

[ssaamm]

I have a 03 crestliner fishawk with a 90 hp yamaha 4 stroke. Today the steering became very stiff or tight. Normally, I need to hold the wheel while driving down the lake to keep it straight. Today was totally different. I put it on the lift and checked things out. Now, as I go from right to left it's hard to turn and it makes a rattling metallic sound as I straighten it out to dead center. This has never happened before. Any thoughts? Need to lube something? Tightened something? Impending doom? Thanks for any thoughts

[leech~~]

Can you hear if it is coming from the steering cable from the wheel back to the motor or the motor steering shaft bearings?

[ssaamm]

It sounds like it's coming from the motor area more than the steering cable.

[leech~~]

Go out and lift up on the lower unit and move the motor back and forth slowly by hand and see if there is a lot of play in it? If so you may need some bearings replaced. But it is a good time of year to get that done.

[ssaamm]

Thanks. Normally when I drive it down the road it falls to the left or right. That did not happen today. The marine shop that winterizes my boat should be able to handle this, right?

[leech~~]

Thanks. Normally when I drive it down the road it falls to the left or right. That did not happen today. The marine shop that winterizes my boat should be able to handle this, right?

Without a doubt, but if it is the bearing in the motor it maybe there a while and be a few hungy bucks $$. Hope it's not. Good luck. Make sure you let everyone know what you find out and what the marine guy said caused it so the rest of us can watch for it as well!

[ssaamm]

Will do. Thanks

[ssaamm]

I disconnected the motor from the steering. The motor moved freely like normal. The noise persisted in the steering system-- the thin round metal pole that steers the engine seems to be the source especially when I turn it back to dead center. Something bent?

[leech~~]

The steering rod at the end is attached to a long cable that runs to a gear box by the steering wheel. Sounds like you are getting closer. Mind has a grease zerk at both ends. Look under your dash by the wheel for where the cable ends and see if you can see a zerk there and grease it along with the one at the end. Work it back and forth a few times and hit it with a little more. If that isn't it that the gear box maybe bad be the wheel?