Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

[SeanH]

Yesterday I started working on what I thought was a steering cable that had seized up on my Johnson 30 HP.

Turns out the the problem wasn't the cable. Rather, the stainless steel steering rod is seized up inside the steering tube. I can't get it to budge at all.

Would like to hear recommendations as to how to get it unstuck. One thing I haven't tried yet is applying heat.

The offending culprit is highlighted in yellow.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

yep, big hammer and a drift rod the size of the rod. disconnect the nut on the other side. may have to lift engine to get it out.

 

[F_R]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

The least favorite job for me. I hate it when that happens. Heat will probably melt any plastic bushings in the tilt. Un-do the nut on the other end and souse it with penetrating oil at both ends and let it soak and then beat it out. You may wreck the cable in doing. Let that be a lesson: Periodic removal and relube of the cable is a regular preventative maintenance item.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

It ain't gonna be easy.As soon as you hit it,she'll mushrom and no longer fit thru the tilt tube.Gentle tapping back and forth is the best you can do.Maybe put a 3/8 bolt thru that hole in the cable end.

DHP

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

Soak with penetrating oil for as long as possible.
Use a slide hammer with an adaptor that will fit the hole in the rod.
Shock will begin to shift it and with the slide hammer you can shock it in both directions. As soon as you get even the slightest amount of movement apply more penetrating oil, let it soak for a while and shock in both directions again. Repeat the process until things move easily.
Good luck and let us all know how you go on.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

Yeah....least friendliest and unforgiving job. Little mushrooming on the end and yer done. A bolt through the hole will help keep it from mushing as DHP posted.

I like Kens' idea of using a slide hammer....d

I've even had to cut the other end off on occasion and drift the whole shebang out.

Just curious....can't see it very well....there ain't no dents in the steering tube is there?

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

Yeah....least friendliest and unforgiving job. Little mushrooming on the end and yer done. A bolt through the hole will help keep it from mushing as DHP posted.

I like Kens' idea of using a slide hammer....d

I've even had to cut the other end off on occasion and drift the whole shebang out.

Just curious....can't see it very well....there ain't no dents in the steering tube is there?

Been there and done that with the slide hammer thing. Not on anything of mine but the neighbours loved me for it and supplied a lot of beer when the job was done. No new parts to buy if you go with "just enough" force and ease it gently both ways. You can bet that after their experience with it siezed they wont be looking to have it happen again. (huge saving in beer for them !!!)

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

By the way do not use heat.
You have to know whether the rod or the tube will expand more when heat is applied. Same thing with dry ice, knowing which one will contract more !! and as pointed out earlier you may melt something that you really should not.
Good Luck.
By the way a lot of tool rental places have slide hammers. I made my own many years ago and I do not use it often but when it is needed it is a lifesaver. If you need a basic design for one let me know.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

Shoot....free beer.....I'll go to anyones house and work fer that.....d:devil:

 

[Walker]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

And after you get it unstuck and the inside of the tilt tube all cleaned up get one of these to avoid future repeats of the same problem
http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...arch_in_category=t&view_id=2952&page_number=6

 

[SeanH]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

Thanks to everyone for responding. My first step in this project was to loosen the large aluminum nut on the other end of the steerig cable that connects the cable to the tube.

This afternoon I applied generous amounts of Liquid Wrench to both ends.

Then I began to tap the rod back in through the tube. Currently it is flush with the threaded end of the tube. Thankfully, no mushrooming (has) occured.

My next step will be to use an extension of some sort, possibly an old socket extension, to continue to tap the rods through the tube.

P.S. Thanks for the product suggestion, Walker. Check out the photo in my original post. You'll notice a stainless Steering Guard resting on the top of my transom. And hey, I live in San Antonio as well.

P.S.S. Once this project is complete, and I'm ready to reassemble, what are y'alls thoughts on relubing with light oil in lieu of marine grade grease? The theory being that generous amounts of oil will keep the mechanism adequately lubed without using grease that will eventually harden and bind.

Thanks again.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

Dont like the idea of oil in there. Best thing in my opinion is to use the best quality grease that you can and regularly pump it through with the grease gun. It will keep things moving and push the older grease out if you do it regularly. Works for me (and my neighbour) LOL

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

And after you get it unstuck and the inside of the tilt tube all cleaned up get one of these to avoid future repeats of the same problem
http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...arch_in_category=t&view_id=2952&page_number=6

If you have the equipment you can make one of those for about $5. I modified a stainless nut myself for that. However if you do not have the equipment available then that is the best $26.99 you could spend !!!

 

[Walker]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

Okay, I didn't see the Steering Guard in to pic. Good deal. Now, after you get the rod out you need to clean the tube good. I use a 12ga. shotgun brush on one section of cleaning rod. Chuck it up in my drill and add some WD40 or penetrationg oil and go to work in the tube. Keep it wet with oil and work the heck out of it. When its clear of all corrosion and buildup then spray carb cleaner thru it to flush it out. Re-assemble and pump it up with light waterproof grease.

 

[SeanH]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

Thanks to everyone who responded to my original post and took the time to share information.

I was able to remove the rod successfully (after pounding on it with a claw hammer--fortunately no mushrooming occured). The tube was cleaned with a 12 gauge brush and everything has be re-lubed and put back into place.

Thanks again for your insight.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

Thanks for posting back Sean. Steering wheel turning easily now?

 

[SeanH]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

Yep, smooth as silk.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

hooray!!!!!!

 

[OBJ]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

DITTO the hooray!! 8)

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Help! Steering rod seized inside steering tube

I am glad it worked out for you. I use a pipe wrench to rock the steering rod back and forth in the tilt tube, while applying pemetrating oil. If it rocks, you will eventually be able to work it loose, without any pounding or mushrooming.