steering horribly tight

[tbrownarcher]

I have a Triton bass boat. a 1999 with a 150 hp Johnson on it.

We have been fixing this thing up but for the most part it's in working order. The motor has incredible power almost jumping out of the hole to plane.

However the steering is horridly tight. I haven't checked anything yet except that I greased 2 zerks on one of the shafts in front of the motor. I can't find any other zerks on the whole thing so I'm kinda stumped as to what would be causing the tightness. Is there some adjustment or could something be bent or what if anything does anyone have too suggest ??

I went out ot take a picture of the hardware to post here and It sure looks like I could clean the shafts off and grease them. But that's all I know to do ... what kind of grease ?

Thanks,
Nate

 

[Chris1956]

Re: steering horribly tight

Nate, Disconnect the steering link. Now you can tell if it is the motor pivot or the steering cable. if it is the steering cable, remove the big nut on the starboard tilt tube and the cable will be able to move. Now turn the steering wheel. If the wheel turns freely, the corrosion between the steering cable end and the tilt tube is causing the friction. If you can pull the steering cable end out of the tilt tube, you can clean the tube and the cable end. Merc makes a special lubricant 101, which is just the best stuff to lubricate the cable end. However, if you faithfully grease it, you may use any marine grease.

If the wheel is hard to turn the steering cable needs replacement. if the motor itself is hard to turn, it should be disassembled and the bushings greased. There are zercs for the pivot of the motor. Look around for them.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: steering horribly tight

ti;t the engine all the way up, there is a zerk for the swivel under there.

 

[tbrownarcher]

Re: steering horribly tight

tashasdaddy ti;t the engine all the way up, there is a zerk for the swivel under there.

Chris:
I'm trying to disconnect the tubes from the cable but I do not have any idea how ... I actually have an OEM manual but I can't find it. I just got out of surgery for 3 hernias and don't feel like tearing up the garage to find it or i would not ask.

Thanks for the help,

Nate

 

[tbrownarcher]

Re: steering horribly tight

How do i get the cables out of the tubes... i never get left right of the boat so looking at the right side looking forward do you unscrew those large nuts from the end of the cable/tube connection or is there something on the other end of it you do first

Thanks,
Nate

 

[Chris1956]

Re: steering horribly tight

Nate, the big nut on the starboard side of the tilt tube releases the cable end. You need to disconnect the linkage on the port side of the motor, that runs from the cable end to the motor.

After you remove the nut, the cable will either pull out or it wont. Turn the steering wheel and see if the nut moves in and out. If it moves, the cable is good and the cable end is stuck.

Be careful with the hernia. Get some young stud to assist.