Help! Steering rod stuck in steering tube

[Trum008]

Hey all, my steering rod is stuck inside the steering tube on my outboard. Looks like the grease has hardened. Just wondering if anyone had some advice as to ho to get it unstuck? I've added some pictures and as you can see I dont have much room to hit the rod because of my transom setup. Also, in trying to get it unstuck i broke the outside of my steering cable from the helm. inside cable still intact but planning on replacing after unseizing the steering rod. And If I cant get the steering rod out what is my next step?

 

[Daviet]

Re: Help! Steering rod stuck in steering tube

Your'e gonna have to pull the engine and let it hang on a hoist to get enough room to remove the cable. You don't have to disconnect the electrical, just lift the engine and rotate it. You can try some heat on the tilt tube and try and pound it out.

 

[Monte1961]

Re: Help! Steering rod stuck in steering tube

Don't force it, get a bigger hammer!

 

[willett]

Re: Help! Steering rod stuck in steering tube

happened to me and i blew a bunch of gear teeth out of the helm unit.

just replace it. they are cheap!

 

[reddogg]

Re: Help! Steering rod stuck in steering tube

Lift motor, heat with acet torch, whack with a big hammer.

red

 

[Trum008]

Re: Help! Steering rod stuck in steering tube

happened to me and i blew a bunch of gear teeth out of the helm unit.

just replace it. they are cheap!

My helm unit is still intact just the cable connecting to the helm unit is screwed. How did you get the steering rod unseized?

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: Help! Steering rod stuck in steering tube

try twisting it .... works most of the time use a big pair channel locks
make sure youve got them turned the right way though or theyll just slip and p!$$ you off not to mention boogger up the end of the shaft too where it wont slide out

 

[cymru]

Re: Help! Steering rod stuck in steering tube

Unscrew the BIG nut on the other side of the rod and the rod from the motor. Then try wacking the rod with a large mallet keeping a piece of wood between it and the rod to prevent damage. Use a penetrating oil to loosen the gunge. With patience it will come.

 

[emoney]

Re: Help! Steering rod stuck in steering tube

Spray a lot of PB blaster, then spray some more. Let it soak in there and take some pliers to the end and twist it back and fort, pulling and pushing. If it doesn't want to budge, take an acetolene torch to warm it up and repeat the above. It'll work free. Don't grind on the steering wheel though, or you will need a new helm (ask me how I know??). Unhook it from the motor, of course, but I'm assuming you've already done that. Is it a salt water bath she takes?

 

[Trum008]

Re: Help! Steering rod stuck in steering tube

Spray a lot of PB blaster, then spray some more. Let it soak in there and take some pliers to the end and twist it back and fort, pulling and pushing. If it doesn't want to budge, take an acetolene torch to warm it up and repeat the above. It'll work free. Don't grind on the steering wheel though, or you will need a new helm (ask me how I know??). Unhook it from the motor, of course, but I'm assuming you've already done that. Is it a salt water bath she takes?

yep sits in a saltwater wet slip

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: Help! Steering rod stuck in steering tube

trum for future reference if you leave her in the water like that youve gotta go down and grease her about every three days or this problem will persist the gulf and south eastern fl have some the saltiest water on the planet short of the dead sea and ive seen corrosion set in overnight you COULD if you wanted to upgrade to a stainless tilt tube bobs machine in tampa has em for about 60 bux ....and theyre right around the corner from you

and your probably gonna have to haul the boat to do this job right because in your case you WILL be removine the motor as you have no room

 

[stillinne2]

Re: Help! Steering rod stuck in steering tube

here is a little trick that mechanics use to free stuck bolts , pins, ect.. heat the outside of the tube, as your heating it.. have a buddy pour water on the rod to keep it cool and not swell up.. after a little heat , the tube will swell up and the rod will still be its same size cause you are keeping it cool and not hot, you will be surprise how easy it will come out.. but like they said, you have to remove the motor...

 

[levi_tsk]

Re: Help! Steering rod stuck in steering tube

here is a little trick that mechanics use to free stuck bolts , pins, ect.. heat the outside of the tube, as your heating it.. have a buddy pour water on the rod to keep it cool and not swell up.. after a little heat , the tube will swell up and the rod will still be its same size cause you are keeping it cool and not hot, you will be surprise how easy it will come out.. but like they said, you have to remove the motor...

that works but in this case im pretty sure he hasnt greased it in awhile and the grease has hardened causing it to stick

 

[willett]

Re: Help! Steering rod stuck in steering tube

My helm unit is still intact just the cable connecting to the helm unit is screwed. How did you get the steering rod unseized?

i had to bash mine out with a big dead blow. patience and accuracy got it out. it was a couple of weeks ago but i recall beating on the end of the cable where the lock nut flange is