1970 25 hp, knocking sound from steering pivot?

[BF]

Hiya,<br /><br />My new-to-me 1970 25 hp 'rude has been running well. The only complaint (minor) that I have is that if it is idling (trolling) there is a knocking sound/vibration that is there only when the engine is almost exactly straight. If you move the tiller in either direction, the knock/vibration goes away. It seems to me like there might be some play in the pivot of the transom mount that is enough to allow it to knock. Prop is good and engine is not shaking excessively or anything like that.<br /><br />Are there bearings at the steering pivot points, or just bushings? Are they a common wear item (replaceable), and if it is worn, would it cause the type of knock that I have?<br /><br />I do have a service manual for it, but I forgot it out of town, and I don't remember it having very much on the transom bracket anyway (except the grease points).<br /><br />Thanks.<br /><br />Brent

 

[stsmith]

Re: 1970 25 hp, knocking sound from steering pivot?

I had an old rude that had a tension adjustment on the pivot shaft. Basicly a spring with a screw in it.<br />The trick was to loosen the screw grease the fitting then retighten the screw. Hope this helped take a good look you might have one.<br /><br />Smitty

 

[BF]

Re: 1970 25 hp, knocking sound from steering pivot?

thanks... will check it out. It does have a tension adjustment, but it's not too loose now... but if tightening it makes the knock go away, then I'll know I'm on the right track. I kinda think the play might be at the bottom pivot point, and the friction adjustment is at the top... but we'll see.<br /><br />thanks again,<br /><br />Brent

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1970 25 hp, knocking sound from steering pivot?

I don't know a lot about your engine BF, but if it's like the other johnny/rudes from that time, it'll have very large fiber or nylon bushings on the steering pivots. One's at the top of the steering tube and the other is at the bottom. But in the few I've pulled apart to clean out the old grease, there's been hardly any wear at all on the bushings themselves.<br />Make sure all rubber isolators are good and are not torn. I've had some success epoxying them back together if they're torn.