85 hp merc. How do you replace steering cable

[andrewbabich]

85 hp merc. Porbably from the 80's. How do you replace steering cable? How much are they. The steering wheel is locked up.

Is it a pain in the butt job?

Its a boat my uncle's giving me and its been shown no love for the last ten years.

 

[latin monkey]

Re: 85 hp merc. How do you replace steering cable

yeah it's a bit of a pain to replace. try putting some lube on it first to see if that will free it up

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 85 hp merc. How do you replace steering cable

Disconnect the steering cable from the motor. Does the motor swing freely? If not, you need to disassemble the entire motor to clean up the bushings. if is moves freely, grease the zercs to keep it that way.

OK, now turn the wheel. I will assume it won't turn. Loosen the nut on the starboard tilt tube. Now turn the wheel. If it now moves, the cable is likely good and the cable end is corroded into the tilt tube, which is most common of all issues.

if it is corroded to the tilt tube, get a pipe wrench and some penetrating oil. Spray the cable end and rock the cable end with the pipe wrench. If you can move it at all, eventually it will loosen up. If you cannot move it, you can try some heat on the tilt tube. If you get it loose, wipe it clean and regrease. Do not hammer on the end of the cable, or it will mushroom and get really tight.