Steering stuck in pivot tube.

[ToddSearle]

My steering has become frozen almost instantaneously. The wheel was turning freely one minute and then all of a sudden it would not turn any more. It is a Teleflex rotary steering system. The steering arm seems to be stuck inside the pivot tube. I am not quite sure how to disassemble the cable from the steering arm. The arm was stuck with the engine to the stbd.. I have disconnected the engine from the steering arm and that moves freely. I have used a hammer to try to move the arm, but this has not proven to be very effective. Could you please give me some information on how to get this rod out of the pivot tube, preferably without having to replace the steering cable. Thank you very much.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Steering stuck in pivot tube.

Has the cable casing split open, somewhere between the helm and the motor?

 

[prp]

Re: Steering stuck in pivot tube.

I have the same problem and am trying to find out how to get it out, I have been told by a mechanic not to try to hit it in as this may baloon the rod on the out side of the pivot tube causing more problems. But I have tryed to hit it in, pull it out and rotate it with out any luck. I would also like to know how to do it.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Steering stuck in pivot tube.

Hi Oceanroam,<br /><br />Not an uncommon problem, but a right nasty one sometimes.<br /><br />Yep - don't thump it, or it will do exactly as PRP's mechanic says. <br /><br />You might get lucky and free it with patience and penetrating oil. The possible bad news is that you may have to sacrifice the cable in order to get it out.<br /><br />We had one where all we could do was clamp TIGHT with a mole wrench, and using penetrating oil and gentle heat and quenching, keep twisting back and forth, with much patience, until we got it free.<br /><br />We then cleaned what was left of the shaft, put it back in and worked it forward and back, using rubbing compound, until we had it running free. That cleared the crud out of the tube. Then we made darned sure that the new shaft was greased after every trip.<br /><br />Swapping the end nut for one with a grease nipple is good insurance.

 

[ToddSearle]

Re: Steering stuck in pivot tube.

Thanks for all of your replies. As of right now I am just bathing it with PB Blaster. I have stopped pounding it in. I will try to keep spraying it with the PB Blaster for the rest of the week and hopefully it will move the next time I hit it. I am hoping to get out of this without having to replace the cable. It just seems so unbelievable that it can be working smoothly, and then without any warning just seize up to the point that it won't move. I was wondering how the shaft is connected to the steering cable...

 

[prp]

Re: Steering stuck in pivot tube.

the steering cable is conected to the end block where the rod from the motor fits. the shaft is crimped around that block.If you undo the nut on the other side of the pivot tube that secures the flex cable to it you should be able to withdraw the cable about a foot. you will fined a smaller diameter tube inside that im guessing the steering cable runs through this then attaches to the end block.Even if you have to replace the steering cable with a new one the outer shaft has to be free to move because it all withdraws from the flex cable side of the tilt tube.

 

[ToddSearle]

Re: Steering stuck in pivot tube.

Thanks for your help. I'll let you know how I make out.