2009 F150 Hydraulic Steering & Bad Binding Noise

[garychinook]

Hello, Looking forward to your input.

While launching this weekend we noticed the steering of the 2009 Yamaha F150 had developed a troubling noise. This motor has only ~150 hours on it. While on the trailer we took a closer look:

With the motor trimmed fully down, as you work steering full left to far right, as the motor approaches its left and right limits there's a popping or cracking sound.

Then if you trim the motor up, the noise occurs more often through the range of steering. So, the more it's trimmed up, the more frequently the noise occurs through the full range of motion.

The steering's hydraulic fluid reservoir is full. You do not feel the 'noise' in the steering wheel.

The noise is so distinct that as you observe the motor pivoting on its mount, you expect to see the point of friction, or binding.

Any thoughts????

Thank you!

[99yam40]

when was the last time you greased the motor pivot points?

[garychinook]

when was the last time you greased the motor pivot points?

Earlier this spring, maybe 20 hours of use ago.

[boats.net]

Need to remove cylinder end braces and support rod from tilt tube on engine clean and regrease.

[garychinook]

Update - the noise was caused by air in the system, just needed to be bled. I need to learn how to do that myself!