Steering locked up

[phearn]

I have a 1995 outboard Evinrude on a 1994 Sunbird. The steering has locked up after being stored for the winter. How do I correct the problem. The fish are biting!<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Steering locked up

Can you isolate the lock? Disconnect the motor?<br />Is there any movement from the wheel at all?

 

[phearn]

Re: Steering locked up

Originally posted by ezeke:<br /> Can you isolate the lock? Disconnect the motor?<br />Is there any movement from the wheel at all?

Wheel will not turn. I will disconnect the motor and see if it will turn with out the steering involved.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Steering locked up

H.St.P.D.<br /><br />If it were my boat and the fish were biting, I would order a new cable right now. <br /><br />The boat manufacturer will probably give you the type and length, but if not, it is printed on the cable. <br /><br />Some times you can work the cable loose with light machine oil, but if the cable won't move at all, it is not worth the time.

 

[ob]

Re: Steering locked up

My money is on the engine bracket steering tube being the culprit.If so,it will involve backing off the cable nut of the connection fitting and removing the steering arm pivot bolt.Petetrating oil and some careful coaxing with a hammer and a block of wood or a composite hammer ,working the stuck steering rod in and out until it can be removed from the tube with a soft faced drift.Don't want to mushroom the end ,or it'll really get stuck.If you're lucky one whack may break loose the rod.Then ,if the tube bore is not too bad ,a gun boring(cleaning) kit works good to the ream out the scale from the dry socket steering tube.Then ,clean the rod well and lubricate both it and the tube before reinstalling.Good luck.

 

[phearn]

Re: Steering locked up

Thanks for the advice. I'll get to work. My neighbor caught some stripers last night. The steering will be fixed today.