Re: Steering on Mariner 115
No, that tube is for lube the worm cable to travel in. They are protected from most weathering by location.<br />It is unadviseable to remove the cap and oil it, unless you see evedence of it having leaked (a spot on the deck under your helm). At least, look elsewhere first,then, go back to that if need be.<br />you could lube it there, but run the risk of creating that oil spot in the monkey fur.<br /><br />Your problem is more likey, at the other end.<br />The end of the cable runs thru a tube at the top of the transom clamps. Inside this stationary tube, is a shaft. One end is attached at the stationary tube, the other is attached to the motor. <br />This assembly is the primary area of failure. It must be kept greased with a good quality marine grease at 80 hour intervals or less.<br />It's a maintainence point, like the impeller and plugs.<br />Un attach it at the engine, and unscrew the stationary end's retaining nut,and slide it out of the stationary tube. Use a shotgun bore brush with an old sock wrapped around it (for a swab),soaked in greased lightning, 409, Dawn Dishwashin liquid, or other detergent based grease cutter,to clean all the old grease out of the stationary tube. there may also be rust in there, but get the grease out, let it dry, then use the bore brush without the swab,to wire-brush this rust out.<br />Ensure that the travel at the helm is effortless,one-finger operation. <br />Next, try manually moving the engine port/starboard by hand, while you have the shaft out. It should move easily too. If not, you have problems at the hinge. shake it around, and see if there is any play at all. If there is, it's not good.<br />Once you got it good and clean, reassemble while applying grease to the outside of the steering shaft, while someone else steers the cable port/starboard. Those two grease fittings are not there to lube this assembly, and the only way to lube this, is by this method, every 80 hours...Not the cleanest job, I know. Once you have marine grease completely coating the steering shaft inside the tube, go ahead and re-assemble the retaining nut, the felt and felt retaining nut, and attach it to the motor.give it a try.<br />If it still hangs up, you may have to replace the steering cable as a complete assembly due to internal fraying.<br />This is rare on even a modestly-maintained cable, but it happens.
