frozen steering?????

LeakyTiki

Recruit
Joined
Mar 6, 2004
Messages
2
I am the "proud" owner of a 1978 16' baywhiner bow rider w/a 50 horse Blue band merc that has been awesome, so far, to my amazement.<br />Took said boat to the lake yesterday,the motor ran sweet, but the steering was frozen tight!!!!!! Its a good thing my fishin' bud had his 'lectric troller and a new "battry" or we'd a been fishin' off the dock with the powerbait crew. <br />Anyway, long story short, has anyone had a similar motor and similar grief?<br /><br />I did read the archives and thought this may be a good subject for spring.<br /><br />Is it always the best to just change the cable or is it possible to "free" up a frozen tube and just regrease the cable push rod???<br />Any help APPRECIATED <br />tight wrenches,<br />David
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: frozen steering?????

David - Don't know your boat but here is what I'd do - disconnect the steering at the motor to isolate the problem. Is the steering lock-tight or just very stiff? If lock tight I would suspect that you have some kind of geared rack behind the dash that is jamed with the end of the steering cable. If that is the case you should be able to break it loose. You may have to dissemble it to get to it. <br /><br />If it is just very stiff you need to get some grease where it counts - use a propane tourch and a good high pressure grease gun for that.
 

bobbya

Cadet
Joined
Feb 24, 2004
Messages
14
Re: frozen steering?????

If motor is the problem , heat the hinge ,get 2x4, lash it to lower unit.your gonna need leverage! Once loose apply generous amount of grease (waterproof).I was told it's a good idea to turn steering wheel at least once a month during winter months....GOOD LUCK :eek:
 

chewyj

Cadet
Joined
May 7, 2002
Messages
29
Re: frozen steering?????

So, I'll bite...<br /><br />Whats the torch for???<br /><br />I' experiencing some turing difficulties myself that are associated with lack of lubrication. The last 3 inches of steering rod (going left, pulling the rod into the housing) just doesn't want to turn as easily as the rest.<br /><br />So, further info would be great.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,810
Re: frozen steering?????

The torch can carefully be used to gently heat the tilt tube that the steering cable attaches to.<br /><br />It can also be used to heat the steering pivot in the motor midsection.<br /><br />The idea is to soften the grease that is in there, so that new grease can be forced in, and evacuate the old grease.<br /><br />chewyj-- check the end of your steering cable/rod. If it is slightly bent, it will act as you described.
 

GeeFrankk

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 24, 2004
Messages
41
Re: frozen steering?????

Had the same problem w/a Mckee, 50 hp Mercury. Ended up taking the motor off transom to get at the problem. Used torch in right places to losen grease, and after getting it free, dismantled, cleaned and put it back together. Worked fine until I sold the boat 5 years later.
 

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,604
Re: frozen steering?????

Dicsconnect the motor at the tube and see if you can turn the wheel at all.Dont Force It!!!If the wheen turns you can turn it until the steering arm is all the way out.If it does not turn You can put a pliers on the flat part and move it a little to get the arm moving then spray it with some blaster lube .Retract it and bring it out again and wipe it off with paper towel.I did this about 50 times and crap kept coming out of the tube.It got easier and easier.Instead of putting new grease in it I sprayed it with slick 50 "one Lube".Now it works easily and I give a spray and a wipe each time I use the boat.I have not had much luck with a torch around boats so I chose this method and it worked perfectly.Good luck!! Charlie
 

LeakyTiki

Recruit
Joined
Mar 6, 2004
Messages
2
Re: frozen steering?????

I want to say "Thank You" to everyone for the quick and knowledgable responses!!!!!<br />I disconected the motor linkage and it turned fine. Next I took off the nut attaching the cable to the tube (Starboard side)and turned the steering wheel to the left. It turned smoothly and the cable started pushing out of the tube. I squirted as lube as I could in the tube, both sides. I got ahold of the port side rod with vice grips and s-l-o-w-l-y worked it out a couple inches. I then reconected the cable on the starboard side and with my buddy pullin' and my turnin' we got her all the way extended. We wiped the dirty grease off and shot her contiuously with Wd-40 as I turned the wheel back the other way. Still a bit stiff but not too bad. So we did like crazy charlie reccomended and just worked it in and out, cleaning each time on the outstoke and lubing on the instroke. After about 50 times she goes back and forth pretty smoothly. Today I will pump it full of new grease and I think we will be good to go.<br />Looks like I lucked out this time and learned something new.<br />Thanks again Fellas, it is much appreciated<br /><br />Fair winds and following seas,<br />David ;)
 

roc468

Recruit
Joined
Mar 2, 2004
Messages
4
Re: frozen steering?????

Just some input since I just encontered this mine was a stott craft with the factory steering push pull cable.I found out that no matter how much grease I pumped It didnt seam to get to thecable side where it mounted to the motor so i extended it as far as possible then undid the cable mounting nut and turned the motor back by hand exposing the cable then as my brother pumped a stream of grease on the exposed cable I turned the motor back bringing the cable into the motor housing.Then reatached the mounting nut and turned the steering wheel taking in the cable towards the end it gets stiff as it is preasurising the grease forcing it into the cable <br />after doing this a couple of times I found the steering to free up considerably.I have come to the concusion that the grease fitting I thought was greasing the steering is really for the trim.
 
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