Evinrude 88SPl steering bracket problem

[coastaltom]

My 88 spl evinrude had become almost impossible to move with the steering cable. I disconnected the cable from the motor and determined the motor was almost frozen on the steering bracket.

After reading some posts here, I found the port side grease fitting(I never saw it before) and tried to put new grease in but it wouldn't take. I used someone's idea of putting a MAAP torch to the bearings in hopes of melting the old grease. I also warmed the bracket, below and above the grease fitting as I thought there must be a channel in there for the grease to flow to the bearings.

Well, the tricked worked for the lower bearing and I have "new" grease coming out from the lower bearing but NOT the upper. My theory is the upper channel is still blocked and the grease is taking the path of least resistance to the lower.

How can I force grease to the upper bearing?

Thanks for your ideas and help.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Evinrude 88SPl steering bracket problem

i would say keep working the motor back and forth, get a can spray of carb cleaner, with a straw, try to work some carb cleaner into the joint from the top. that will break up the grease.

 

[bob johnson]

Re: Evinrude 88SPl steering bracket problem

the upper pivot has a plastic bushing....so you may get lucky with letting a BUNCH of penetrating oil soak on the top of that pivot area. Hopeing is finds its way down into the bushing.

if it was aluminum against aluminum youd be in trouble.

but of course you really havent ruled out the bottom seizing...have you!


what is your goal?? just to free it up and hopefully re grease it?

or are you planning on taking it apart and putting new bushings and seals in there?

if you apply too much heat you start to melt the bushings and seals!!!!!!

good luck BOB

 

[coastaltom]

Re: Evinrude 88SPl steering bracket problem

Thanks for the quick replies.

I bought a Clymer manual for the engine but it is pretty generic and does not address the steering bracket or show exploded views to determine what's in there. I should have mentioned that once I got new grease coming out the bottom bearing, it now takes about half the force to manually push the motor from side to side. Before, it took all my 200 lbs of fat and muscle to budge it.

I am really just interested in getting it freed up rather than a dis-assembly at this point. I should mention that the motor is on my pontoon boat hanging on a lift (no trailer) and operates in brackish/salt water.

 

[F_R]

Re: Evinrude 88SPl steering bracket problem

Salt water gets between the plastic bushing and aluminum bracket and corrodes the aluminum, squeezing the plastic bushing's diameter down tight against the pivot shaft.

You can't get grease up through there because there is no clearance for it to flow thorugh. The best that heat can do is partially melt the bushing. That's the donkey way of fixing it. The only right way is to take it apart and dig the corrosion out from around the bushing.