Hard steering

andy6374

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 4, 2005
Messages
1,617
Allright boat is out of the water and taken care of. Now to a winter project for a problem that has always plagued me. The steering is very stiff. It's not the helm or the steering cable as i've disconnected the steering link assembly at the engine and the wheel turns back and forth like butta.<br /><br />The problem resides with swivel pin itself right where it sits utop the swivel bracket. If I use the grease fitting on the side of the swivel bracket to lube it up, the grease just pours out the bottom of the swivel pin near the bottom yoke. So there must be something blocking the grease from getting upward, i.e. gravity a little bit but more importantly corrosion. If stick a bar in between the swivel bracket and pin I can jack it up a bit and get some stuff in there. This helps but doesnt last long. I really need to get the grease in there thick and heavy.<br /><br />What are my solutions, short of lifting the powerhead off the swivel bracket. To I stick a mapp torch to it? <br /><br />-thanks<br />andy<br /><br />88' v6 200hp black max
 

papasmurf

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 9, 2004
Messages
181
Re: Hard steering

Try heating the upper portion of the swivel housing while pumping in the grease. Most likely the grease is really hard and usually heat will soften it up enough to allow new grease to be pumped in.
 

madmarlin

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Nov 6, 2005
Messages
48
Re: Hard steering

u could always try fitting a grease nipple near the top
 

andy6374

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 4, 2005
Messages
1,617
Re: Hard steering

Yeah, I figured heat was the way to go. Hopefully this will work because it is a real pain.
 
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