2018 R27 Stiff Steering

[Williamsondan]

Hello, I recently purchased a 2018 R27 with ~450 hrs on a 300 Suzuki outboard.

I notice on plane the steering is extremely stiff, and when going from left to right there is a dead zone and "plunger" noise from behind the helm before the outboard actually starts turning. This also happens at idle but the steering is not stiff then. Also, the autopilot will engage but I think it doesn't have enough power to overcome the stiff steering, and thus doesn't seem to do anything.

I've greased all the fittings I could locate on the engine including the main swivel pin, which was much needed, but seemed to help very little. I'm considering flushing the hydraulic fluid and maybe replacing the helm pump, but I thought I'd see if this is common and maybe an easier fix, anyone else run into this?

 

[sfladgard]

Bubble Purge™ G2 Hydraulic Steering Bleed and Purge Kit OST-PBB.001​

solved my similar issues 2020 r27ob Yamaha

 

[Williamsondan]

Thanks! I'll give that a shot

 

[Williamsondan]

Well I may have gotten a tiny amount of air out of the system and topped it off, but it doesn't seem to be the issue.

When engaged the autopilot pump shakes and thumps, the more offset the heading target is the louder the shaking and thumping gets: https://photos.app.goo.gl/W3bpocL9AAWbMot68

Let me know if anyone has seen this before, I'm up in Bellingham WA and if someone knows somebody local that could take a look that would be great!