MST MST Steering & Control Systems

Question 1

What is the primary cause of excessive steering wheel play in a rack-and-pinion hydraulic steering system?

Accepted Answer

Worn or damaged steering cable or low hydraulic fluid level

Answer

Excessive play in hydraulic steering is most commonly caused by low fluid level, air in the system, or a worn pump — mechanical play is rare in hydraulic systems.

Question 2

When bleeding a hydraulic steering system, what is the correct procedure?

Accepted Answer

Turn the helm lock-to-lock multiple times while adding fluid at the reservoir until no air bubbles appear

Answer

Cycling the helm lock-to-lock while topping off the reservoir forces air out of the system and allows fluid to fill all passages.

Question 3

What type of cable is used in most mechanical single-station outboard steering systems?

Accepted Answer

Push-pull rotary steering cable

Answer

Push-pull rotary cables transmit both push and pull forces through a flexible conduit, allowing steering force to be directed around bends to the outboard.

Question 4

What ABYC standard covers steering system installations on recreational boats?

Accepted Answer

ABYC P-17

Answer

ABYC P-17 (Mechanical and Non-Mechanical Steering Systems) establishes design and installation requirements for recreational boat steering.

Question 5

A twin-engine boat with hydraulic steering pulls strongly to one side at rest but steers normally under power. The most likely cause is:

Accepted Answer

Unequal engine trim angle between the two engines

Answer

Unequal trim angles cause an asymmetric thrust vector at rest that corrects under power as hydrodynamic forces equalize.

(MST) Marine Service Technician Practice Test

(MST) Marine Service Technician Practice Test

MST MST Steering & Control Systems