Steering arm stiffness.

[legoman67]

On the inside of the Volvo Penta 280 outdrive, how hard should the steering arm be to turn? should it be loose enough to turn by hand? Right now we need to tap ours with a mallet to move it, This is part of a restoration, so the rest of the steering system isnt in place yet.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering arm stiffness.

Ayuh,.... That's Way Too Tight....

How does it turn if done from the outdrive,..??

Is it Greasable,..?? Have you Greased it,..??

 

[legoman67]

Re: Steering arm stiffness.

yes we replaced the grease nipples and greased it, the outdrives are off so i cant try it.

 

[legoman67]

Re: Steering arm stiffness.

well, we are trying to get the whole steering helmet, and shaft out so we can inspect it and figure out what is wrong, we got the clamp bolt from the arm off, but we cannot get the shaft to budge, we have been moving it back and forth alot and still cannot get the shaft and helmet to drop down.

any secrets?

 

[Don S]

Re: Steering arm stiffness.

There is corrosion between the plastic bushings and the transom shield. The corrosion buildup causes the bushings to sqeeze the helmet shaft that goes thru the transom shield. The grease does not get to that side of the bushings, so greasing it won't help. The only thing you can do is remove the steering fork and replace the bushings.
Don't even think of trying to drive the shaft out, it's aluminum and will mushroom the end of the shaft and you will NEVER get it out.
I've had to melt the bushings out in the past they were so bad. And pry between the helmet support and transom shield.