Excessive steering play?

[trxxx250r]

Hi,

I have a 1990 15' King fisher with a 1980 Johnson 70Hp (j70elcsa). It has allot of play in the steering and wanders pretty badly at trolling speed. It's annoying.

The helm unit and cable seem to be good, everything is tight but where I can visually see play is at the steering link arm where it hooks directly to the motor steering arm. The bolt and bushing assembly right there has allot of free play left to right. when you turn the wheel, it turns an inch or two before it will actually start to move the motor. As I'm driving the boat I can look back and see all the play at this joint. I took it apart and it doesn't look that bad yet the play is there. Is this normal? I certainly hope not, I would really like to have tight steering.

Does any have any tips or tricks to tighten this up, like a urethane bushing or something aftermarket? Those factory link arms are expensive and if this is normal it may not slove the problem anyway.

Thanks, for any help!

BTW - It's the link similar to these -

http://www.marineengine.com/newparts/part_details.php?pnum=OMC0175125&ptype=&Engine=&Model=


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-OMC...263&pid=100005&prg=1088&rk=4&sd=271189798754&

 

[sutor623]

Re: Excessive steering play?

That is def not normal. You tightened the steering arm on the motor really well?

 

[trxxx250r]

Re: Excessive steering play?

Yeah, I took everything apart, greased it and put it back together. All bolts are in good shape and I tightened everything back up. That one joint with that metal kind of wobbly bushing is where all (or most) of the play is. I realize the two connections to that arm are supposed to allow for some rotation, but... It's kinda strange because when I took the one joint apart I thought it would be all wallowed out but it didn't seem to be, it just rotated around. But, when it's back together and you turn the wheel, there's allot of latteral slop or play in it....

 

[sutor623]

Re: Excessive steering play?

That spot is where I think your issue is. Sounds like someone put a non factory setup there.

 

[trxxx250r]

Re: Excessive steering play?

No, it's the factory setup that goes with that motor, the local dealer looked it up. I just think that joint is worn out. That's actually the point of this post. I was wondering if this was a common problem and if anyone knew how to fix it without buying a whole new arm. Maybe some sort of aftermarket or home made bushing...?

 

[boobie]

Re: Excessive steering play?

Could you post a pic of where the problem is ??

 

[trxxx250r]

Re: Excessive steering play?

i'll post a pic tomorrow.

 

[trxxx250r]

Re: Excessive steering play?

Here are some pics. The joint with the slack is the one right at the motor steering arm. Video would've been better but I'm not going that far. People that have been working on these for 30 years should know exactly what the problem is as this is typical OMC steering stuff..

Also, I noticed today that some of the play was created by the arm moving up and down vertically on the bushing as you turn the wheel one side to the other. The movment is somewhat small vertically but it crates an exponential slack as it does this...

That's about all I can submit as to the problem. If someone has a solution I would appreciate the advise. Otherwise I may just scrap the bushing and thru bolt it or figure some trick urethane bushing....... Worst case scenario I will buy a new arm but I really don't want to as they are $100 from the dealer.

Btw - I love the site and have learned a ton. New to boats only a month ago and already feel like I know my motor and boat very well mostly due to this site. Thanks to all the guru's who contribute!

Photo and image hosting, free photo galleries, photo editing

 

[trxxx250r]

Re: Excessive steering play?

Pics added.

 

[boobie]

Re: Excessive steering play?

If the hole in the arm isn't worn all you need is a whole new bolt assembly. Make sure you get everything that comes with it.

 

[trxxx250r]

Re: Excessive steering play?

Actually what I think I'm going to do is thread the outside of that link and use a heim joint. That should allow for all the rotational movement I need but be rock solid and allow no free play.