3.0l with Alpha 1 Gen 2 Steering Stiff

[cbc1975]

Hi there

1st time poster. I recently bought a 2001 Trophy with a 3.0l. Purrs and runs awesome. Quick background on boat is it was an estate sale and i bought off the widow. It sat for about 18 months from last use.
My first sea trial with it the steering (non powered) was real stiff. Im a big guy and i was using two hands to steer it.
I researched on here, and disconnected the steering cable from the clevis, it moved with less resistance. I cleaned the cable from the dried grease and it moved quite better. (Note: i did not remove from guide tube) I hooked it back up and while it moves a bit better (i can do one handed). I havent taken it back out yet, but i have a few questions

1. how freely should the cable move without attached to pivot arm?

2. how freely should i be able to move the pivot arm? I was able to move it with one hand, it wasnt easy but it wasnt bad, but seemed stiff compared to outboards i have owned in the past

3. if i need to pull cable out of tube, is it ok to remove from transom mount? The location of the where the cable and tube meet doesnt give me much room to back cable out. I would be better off removing the tube and pulling it off the cable.

4. what should my expectations be for stiffness in steering? Should i be able to easily steer with one hand?

 

[achris]

Hello cbc1975 and :welcome: aboard.

Hi there

1st time poster. I recently bought a 2001 Trophy with a 3.0l. Purrs and runs awesome. Quick background on boat is it was an estate sale and i bought off the widow. It sat for about 18 months from last use.
My first sea trial with it the steering (non powered) was real stiff. Im a big guy and i was using two hands to steer it.
I researched on here, and disconnected the steering cable from the clevis, it moved with less resistance. I cleaned the cable from the dried grease and it moved quite better. (Note: i did not remove from guide tube) I hooked it back up and while it moves a bit better (i can do one handed). I havent taken it back out yet, but i have a few questions

1. how freely should the cable move without attached to pivot arm?

Should be able to turn the steering with one finger.

2. how freely should i be able to move the pivot arm? I was able to move it with one hand, it wasnt easy but it wasnt bad, but seemed stiff compared to outboards i have owned in the past.

That should also be very free. The nyloc nut holding the steering link should only just touch the washer. That's why it's a nyloc. Uses the nylon in the nut to stop it backing off, not the clamping force of the links.

3. if i need to pull cable out of tube, is it ok to remove from transom mount? The location of the where the cable and tube meet doesnt give me much room to back cable out. I would be better off removing the tube and pulling it off the cable.

As long as you can get to and re-tension the tube pivot pins when you re-install, no problem doing that.

4. what should my expectations be for stiffness in steering? Should i be able to easily steer with one hand?

Without the boat moving (on a trailer or sitting in the water not going anywhere) you should be able to turn the wheel with less effort than a car with power steering.

Once you have the cable disconnected from the drive steering arm, just make sure the drive moves from side to side effortlessly.

Chris.......

 

[Searay205]

Mine was the same. you need to remove the steering cable from the gimbal. Leave connected at dash, leave installed in boat but completely remove where connects in back, clean out old hard grease, regrets, it will turn with one finger. mine was so hard to turn most people couldn't drive it. the only way to really clean and grease is to remove end connection because it telescopes can't get to inner part without removing. you can slop some grease on the outer part and it will help but nothing like disassebleing