1984 Suzuki DT 75 Steering Problem (seized)

[fakemike]

I have a 1984 Suzuki DT 74. It has sat for ~3 mounths with the engine trimmed up and turned all the way to one side. Yesterday I lowered the engine and it would not turn at all. I did not want to turn the wheel to hard in fear of breaking something. I tried to grease all the nipples on the engine (3 total) and that did not help. Let me know if you need any other details.

My knowledge of boats is very limited so bear with me.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[gsyfishy]

Re: 1984 Suzuki DT 75 Steering Problem

Re: 1984 Suzuki DT 75 Steering Problem

The lubrication in the steering tube must have dried up, you can try some lubricating oil or penetrating lubricant. If you try and force it, you could do serious damage to the steering assembly. It can be broke free, you just need time and patience, do not force things as it can become costly.
Worse case scenario is: the steering shaft would need to be removed, and the tube would need to be honed out. I use a circular wire brush on a drill and reem it back and forth. Good luck

 

[fakemike]

Re: 1984 Suzuki DT 75 Steering Problem

Re: 1984 Suzuki DT 75 Steering Problem

"The lubrication in the steering tube must have dried up, you can try some lubricating oil or penetrating lubricant. If you try and force it, you could do serious damage to the steering assembly. It can be broke free, you just need time and patience, do not force things as it can become costly."

thanks for the reply gsyfishy.

Should I put the penetrating lube on the steering assembly(?) directly in front of the motor?

When trying to "break the motor free" should I push the motor itself or use the steering wheel?

Thanks

 

[fakemike]

Re: 1984 Suzuki DT 75 Steering Problem

Re: 1984 Suzuki DT 75 Steering Problem

I was doing some searching and I found this post in the Mercury & Mariner Outboards forum:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=245978&highlight=steering+stuck

From the post: "That motor should have an upper and lower swivel bushing. One or both of these may be corroded or just dirty. If you pump grease into the swivel tube, it will emerge from either the upper or lower bushing proving that the other one is the bad one. If the bottom one is bad, see if you can lift the motor a bit to give more clearance on the lower bushing. You may be able to blast it with some penetrating oil and clean it up."

On my motor this area had not been greased for over a year possibly more. When I did grease it black grease came out of both the top and bottom. Does this mean the bushins are bad.

BTW the motor is used in salt water.

 

[James R]

Re: 1984 Suzuki DT 75 Steering Problem (seized)

You might try a grease gun containing Marvel Mystery Oil. Pump it in good and hard then leave it to soak. Repeat untill it free's up or not as the case may be. If it does not free up then it will be a major tear down.
Good luck.