Black Max steering

[peterholaway]

My 1995 Mercury 150 has the steering froze up. The steering cable(single) was replaced with same less than 2 years ago.The boat has not been in the water in a year and dry stored.How do I troubleshoot this to determine if the cable system is bad or ssomthing else? I tried to disconnect the cable at the motor but was unsucessful. The motor is on a Bayliner Trophy 2002.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Black Max steering

My 1995 Mercury 150 has the steering froze up. The steering cable(single) was replaced with same less than 2 years ago.The boat has not been in the water in a year and dry stored.How do I troubleshoot this to determine if the cable system is bad or ssomthing else? I tried to disconnect the cable at the motor but was unsucessful. The motor is on a Bayliner Trophy 2002.

Just take the bolt out of the steering linkage. Then if you can push the motor around, it's loose, and if you can turn the steering wheel, the cable is loose. By the way that bolt is critical, both as to type of bolt and torque. Folks have died just because it broke at speed.

Odds are the motor swivel hasn't gotten enough grease. Might be tricky to get it loose, but it's possible.

John

 

[jgaryc3]

Re: Black Max steering

Not as expert as John, but went through some steering issues of my own.

I have a 1978 150 black max as well. It had a single cable system on it when I got it. At 47mph the cable broke. It wasnt fun.

What I can tell you is with the help of John and others, I replaced my single cable system with a dual cable system. NIGHT AND DAY. Get rid of that single cable and switch to dual asap. Its all the difference in the world.

Steering it much tighter, more responsive and we just feel safer. After what happend, I cant believe we were comfortable with the single cable. But we never had a motor that big so we didnt know.

I bought my dual cable system from iboats, ran the cables and attached helm myself, then had the mechanic lift the motor and put the tubes in while he had it there for service.

Get the dual cable system, you wont regret it.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Black Max steering

I remember that. It is an early V6 that wasn't drilled for the dual cable tube mounts as I remember. That one was a little tough to get rigged, but I'm glad you got it done. I knew you'd apreciate it once you worked through all the trouble.

Tight lines to ya
John

 

[jgaryc3]

Re: Black Max steering

On my 78 it actually was drilled. The wire harness for trim was in one hole and nothing in the other.

Look into the dual cable though, its worth it.

 

[peterholaway]

Re: Black Max steering

Thanks for the responses. I have not been able to remove the cable. There are 2 nuts(1 a locking nut?). The nut on the cable end did not want to swivel even with the "locking nut?" backed off and I did not want to force. Should I lubricate more and hold the cable sheath with a pair of channel locks and try and free? Not sure how to remove?? How much time and money are involved with dual cable system? Do I have to lift the Motor?

 

[jgaryc3]

Re: Black Max steering

Like I said, I bought my system from iboats.

http://www.iboats.com/Pretech_Dual_...3166092--**********.313190209--view_id.368811

It took me and my brother about 2 hours to run the cables, and install the helm. On my boat yes the motor had to be lifted. I let the mechanic do it when he had it for service. Some boats you dont have to if there is enough clearance to remove the rod out of the motors tilt tube.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Black Max steering

Peter, 99% change the tilt tube the cable runs thru is rusted, did you clean the tilt tube when installing the new cable? the cable is probably fine. you need to disconnect cable at the helm. loosen the cable nut at the motor, the with rubber mallot, drive the cable back thru the tilt tube, and remove it. they make a round brush on a rod, that you put into a drill to clean out the tilt tube. then lube the rod before reinstalling.

 

[peterholaway]

Re: Black Max steering

Thanks for all the help. I have lost much of my vision this past year so it will be a few days before my sighted helper is available. The cable was installed in a shop, used about 75hours, never moored and always cleaned and lubed regularly.