OUT OF ALIGNMENT (pulling to the left)

[Stephen X20]

I have a 2002 Sea-Doo (Challenger) X-20

In order to go straight, I need to turn the top of the wheel to at least 2 o'clock and hold it there. I can turn at high speeds, although it will cut sharper to the left than right. A mechanic at the local sea-doo shop recommended that I just adjust my steering wheel, but I do not think that will help. Even at idle speed it wants to turn left. Any ideas?

My local sea-doo shop was not any help at all. Everyone there seems scared of my boat since it has a Mercury engine in it. When I take it to the Mercury dealer, they "do not work on waverunners." I did not know this hybrid would be this difficult to get serviced so I am taking it upon myself to do my own service work.

Thank you,
STEPHEN

 

[seadooya]

if anything like the seadoo rotax setup, adjust it at the nozzle assy.

 

[Stephen X20]

This is what the nozzle looks like. Can you help?

 

[seadooya]

http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche.com/seadooforums/Seadoo_oem/Seadoo_JB.asp?Type=13&A=73&B=7

I'd crack the jam nut, remove the bolt/nut going thru the heim, then turn heim out a few turns, while keeping wheel straight.

 

[WAJetboating]

My local sea-doo shop was not any help at all. Everyone there seems scared of my boat since it has a Mercury engine in it. When I take it to the Mercury dealer, they "do not work on waverunners." I did not know this hybrid would be this difficult to get serviced so I am taking it upon myself to do my own service work.

If you ever need to have them work on your engine again, remind them that this is a very standard Mercury 2.5L V6 outboard engine. I repeat, an OUTBOARD engine. The only thing that is different is that this outboard engine is mounted to a jetdrive instead of a propped lower end.

...which is probably what scares them, since they likely don't work on the Mercury jetdrives very much. That's OK, they're so simple you can do everything yourself. Most of us do anyway!

A mechanic at the local sea-doo shop recommended that I just adjust my steering wheel, but I do not think that will help. Even at idle speed it wants to turn left. Any ideas?

Turn the wheel until it is perfectly straight. Now go back and look at your steering nozzle. It should be perfectly straight too. If it is, the problem is elsewhere - something stuck somewhere, a really damaged stator, etc. If the two components are not both straight, then yes - you should realign your steering system. This is done back at the jetdrive, NOT by simply spinning the steering wheel a few degrees.

Check on the alignment and report back. We can help you do it yourself if necessary.