B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Prior to takeoff I selected 24K max power due to strong gusting winds out of the south for takeoff to the east. During takeoff roll both engines spooled up normally to 40 percent. However once TO/GA was pressed a pronounced yaw to the left was felt; the opposite of what one would expect with a right crosswind. I applied full right rudder to the stop and yaw continued. I looked at engine instruments fully expecting to see left engine either failed or hung yet both were evenly matched and producing approximately 95 percent power. I aborted the takeoff. I had no idea what caused the uncontrolled left yaw as all engine and hydraulic indications were normal; but I knew something was very wrong and elected to return to the gate. Both tiller and rudder pedal steering appeared normal during taxi. The airplane was taken out of service by Maintenance. The subsequent logbook sign-off read: 'Found R/H steering actuator leaking and steering input link rod end bearings frozen. Removed and replaced.' I also saw a request from Maintenance Control to download FDR as a result of the event.
B737-800 Captain reports loss of directional control during takeoff; followed by a rejected takeoff and return to the gate for an aircraft swap. Maintenance found faults with the right hand steering actuator.