Hard Steering ... Help !!!

[trackerbrown]

Took my boat out last Sat. and was real hard to steer , worked fine last summer . There is no grinding , no noise and does'nt feel rough . I bought the boat (87' MV-16 Bass Tracker) from the original owner . There is an oiling tube going to the steering box , not sure if it is factory , or if he installed it . The original owner is now deceased but his son seems to think that he put it on himself . Just wondering if I should try putting some oil in the tube , though I'm not sure what kind or type of oil to use . I appreciate your help !!!Thanks

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Hard Steering ... Help !!!

Oftentimes those cables just wear out. Sometimes there could have been a kink made inadvertently causing it to bind. Other times, dampness can create rust inside the "helm". If the weather there is cold and was greased improperly by the former owner, there could be a problem with hard grease. It's best to dismantle it to learn what the problem really is. Try to isolate where it is binding. It could be at the steering tube on your motor too. Try lubricating that. There should be grease zerks on the tube. If your steering is not working properly, it is far too dangerous to chance it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Hard Steering ... Help !!!

99% of tight steering is the rod that goes thru the tilt tube on the motor, loosen nut, disconnect rod, slide ( hammer) it out clean rod, and clean inside tube, lightly grease and reinstall. if original cable, may need replacing.

 

[mikeroche]

Re: Hard Steering ... Help !!!

my starcraft did the same thing took the nut off,clean,spray,clean,spray two weeks the same thing,got out my bolt cutters,chop,chopchop,put in hydraulic steering that you can get here at iboats, never knew the boat could turn so sharp, don't mess with bad steering nothing good comes out of it,just my thought