Guru's required.

[SteveRD]

At the moment I'm having trouble trying to turn my boat motor. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be so hard.
My web research has no info to that, but most say it's almost seized. The type is an old Teleflex rack n pinion.I guess it was popular in the 80's. Oh btw. the boat is a 89 Doral TRX 15.5' bow rider with a 80 evinrude 85hp. I've been trying to find out if I could change out the Rack system and put in a rotary type steering.
Has anyone ever did this? What I really would like is a next to bolt in replacement.


Thanks very much
Steve

 

[Bondo]

Re: Guru's required.

At the moment I'm having trouble trying to turn my boat motor. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be so hard.
My web research has no info to that, but most say it's almost seized. The type is an old Teleflex rack n pinion.I guess it was popular in the 80's. Oh btw. the boat is a 89 Doral TRX 15.5' bow rider with a 80 evinrude 85hp. I've been trying to find out if I could change out the Rack system and put in a rotary type steering.
Has anyone ever did this? What I really would like is a next to bolt in replacement.


Thanks very much
Steve

Ayuh,.... Another rack, 'n pinion would be a direct bolt in,...

You'll have to look, 'n see whether a rotary helm will fit under yer dash,... They're considerably larger,...

 

[SteveRD]

Re: Guru's required.

Ayuh,.... Another rack, 'n pinion would be a direct bolt in,...

You'll have to look, 'n see whether a rotary helm will fit under yer dash,... They're considerably larger,...

This is the replacement I was thinking about. SAFE-T II NO FEEDBACK PK 14' sorry it's from another store. By looking at it, it seems smaller than the rack. I just dont want to drill holes and make the mounting point weaker.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Guru's required.

Have you made certain it's the controls at fault and not the engine? Disconnect the controls and see if the engine will pivot freely by hand.

 

[SteveRD]

Re: Guru's required.

Have you made certain it's the controls at fault and not the engine? Disconnect the controls and see if the engine will pivot freely by hand.

Oh ya...motor turns free. I've used WD-40 every where I could. I have managed to get it steer-able but still hard to turn. I'm going to try and take apart the helm. It looks like the cable was replaced/refitted at one time, wires are jammed by it.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Guru's required.

Just a thought- NFB helms have a clutch in them that holds the wheel still. You have to break it free to actually turn the boat. Some people love this, some (me) hate it. It can be kind of scary if you don't know it's doing what it's supposed to.

May or may not be part of the problem, just throwing it out to you.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Guru's required.

That WD-40 may bite you in the future. It'll strip off what little lubricant was there before and when it eventually evaporates you'll be good and stuck. If there's anything to be greased, grease it.

 

[SteveRD]

Re: Guru's required.

Just a thought- NFB helms have a clutch in them that holds the wheel still. You have to break it free to actually turn the boat. Some people love this, some (me) hate it. It can be kind of scary if you don't know it's doing what it's supposed to.

May or may not be part of the problem, just throwing it out to you.

A clutch...nothing I read said anything about a clutch, go figure. Where is it located? And it sounds to me like you've disabled it at one time or another.

Thx
Steve

 

[SteveRD]

Re: Guru's required.

That WD-40 may bite you in the future. It'll strip off what little lubricant was there before and when it eventually evaporates you'll be good and stuck. If there's anything to be greased, grease it.

No worries...I've already applied new grease. It's still stiff as hell, but NSBCraig has pointed me in another direction I didnt know about.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Guru's required.

Whether it's been replaced or not, disconnect both ends of the cable and see if you can move it. A good cable can be moved easily by hand, even if it's 100' long. One that's rusted up in the middle and/or frayed can barely be moved with a tow truck. Could've been kinked when put in too...

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Guru's required.

It's inside the helm. Sorry I never messed with one though. I just use a safe-t helm that's supposed to used with an i/o. It's just not NFB (no feed back).

I'd do as Frantically suggested and make sure the cable is smooth and then you have it narrowed down. it maybe the cable is rough and the helm being NFB is adding to the problem or if it's fine go for another helm. They don't cost much.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Guru's required.

For what a new one costs its a lot easier to replace it and be done and go boating.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Guru's required.

I know 2 that bought new cables and found it was not the steering at all. Turned out to be a cheap easy fix. If you have not disconnected the cables from the motor and tried to turn it do so. The tube at the front often gets greased and old grease becomes dry. When it builds up steering is tough.

 

[SteveRD]

Re: Guru's required.

Whether it's been replaced or not, disconnect both ends of the cable and see if you can move it. A good cable can be moved easily by hand, even if it's 100' long. One that's rusted up in the middle and/or frayed can barely be moved with a tow truck. Could've been kinked when put in too...

Ok, have the cable on the driveway. I had to literally cut it at the motor, theres noway (I could see) of doing it another way. I cant move it at all. I ordered a new one. But as I see it now, I'm going to have to drill out a hole so it will line up better. No kinks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Guru's required.

Ok, have the cable on the driveway. I had to literally cut it at the motor, theres noway (I could see) of doing it another way. I cant move it at all. I ordered a new one. But as I see it now, I'm going to have to drill out a hole so it will line up better. No kinks.

Ayuh,.... Usually, ya gotta Unbolt the motor, 'n shift it over, or lift it up,...

 

[SteveRD]

Re: Guru's required.

Ayuh,.... Usually, ya gotta Unbolt the motor, 'n shift it over, or lift it up,...

This was not an option. My son has my cherry picker, and it's like pulling teeth to get him to do or bring back borrowed things. Besides buying another tool is always a good thing!


Thx
Steve

 

[SteveRD]

Re: Guru's required.

Thanks all

I now have butter steering. The hole idea worked like a charm, I also reinforced around it with fiberglass.
Lots of grease added everywhere. Now just the wheel bearings are left to do on the trailer and were off.


Thanks again
Steve