Help me with my 1997 bayliner, impeller problem/shift linkage, rack and pinion?

[jwh0171]

Well, I am new to the forum of iboats but I figured somebody may be able to help me. I recently purchases a 1997 bayliner capri 1600ls with a 1997 Force 90hp outboard. The boat and motor are in almost new shape for a 1997. Before taking the boat to the lake I replaced the impeller did a lube change on the lower unit. Also put a new fuel filter in it. Anyway, I went to take the boat out today and arrived to the lake. Launched the boat and it fired right up. Drove the boat hard for about 45 minutes. This boat has rack and pinion steering. I noticed that the steering is very hard, more so to the Left. You have to hold the steering wheel so it does not pull to the right. When I got home I noticed that the rod that is under the motor for the steering is kind of dirty and not really lubricated. I am thinking that this may be part of the problem but I am not sure. Also, while I am driving the boat back to the marina when I tried to use reverse. The boat will not go into reverse. When putting the shifter into reverse it just keeps throttling up like it is in forward. Also when the shifter is in the neutral position it really is not in neutral, it is in gear but super slow. Im not sure if this has something to do with me taking the lower unit off for the impeller but I am a little frustrated. When I did the impeller I had the shifter in forward position like I was told so Im not sure.

Any help would be appreciated. Im sure there are other things that you may need to know so just let me know.

Thanks,
JH

 

[roscoe]

Re: Help me with my 1997 bayliner, impeller problem/shift linkage, rack and pinion?

Welcome to iboats jwh.

Reverse/neutral/shifting problem is almost certainly a result of removing the lower unit.

Drop the unit again, put shifter into forward, put lower unit into forward, ease the gearcase back into position.




Steering issue could have 2 causes.

Just above the propeller is a trim tab/sacrificial anode.
This tab (fin) is used to counteract the pull to the right.
It is held in place by a bolt. Loosen the bolt, rotate the rear edge of the fin to starboard, snug up the bolt.





Also, the steering rod, which extends out of the steering cable, needs to be cleaned and greased.

Turn the steering wheel to extend the rod, clean it, grease it.


It this does not help, you may have to disconnect the rod from the motor.
Turn the wheel and see if the cable and rod move freely.

If the cable is seizing up in the casing, it needs to be replaced.

Grab ahold of the motor and see if it swivels easily. If the motor does not move easily, find the grease fitting and grease the swivel (kingpin). In extreme cases, the old grease in the kingpin can harden. A little grease, some swiveling action, a little heat, repeat till it pushes the old grease out and it swivels easily.


Let us know what you find.

 

[jwh0171]

Re: Help me with my 1997 bayliner, impeller problem/shift linkage, rack and pinion?

How do you put the lower unit in gear manually

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Help me with my 1997 bayliner, impeller problem/shift linkage, rack and pinion?

That is a Mercury lower unit. The shift rod turns rather than moving up and down. Carefully grab the rod with a pliers and be certain not to ****-up the splines. Twist it one way then reverse. There are three detents: Forward, neutral, and reverse. The center detent is neutral. For this reason I don't need to think about which is forward or reverse. I put the lower in neutral (center detent) and the control lever in neutral then reattach the lower unit.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Help me with my 1997 bayliner, impeller problem/shift linkage, rack and pinion?

Neutral will work too.

Just spin the driveshaft by hand to verify which gear you have it in, then make sure the shift lever is the same.