Help with Steering!!

[fishincondition]

Hello,

Hoping someone out there can help me with a small issue I have with my steering. First off, the boat is a 1977 Glastron SKi Flite that I purchased back in December running a 1969 Evinrude 55HP. I finally was able to take it for a short ( and cold) ride last weekend on the water and the boat performed great...except I noticed it was unusually hard to turn the steering wheel parked or on the move. Looking at the mechanism closer it doesn't seem right to me but I am new to this so any thoughts? also the position of this mechanism prevents me from putting the motor up in the locked position for transporting( not sure what the technical term is)

I know there is a lot of knowledge on this site so I am excited to see what you guys have in mind that might help me out!

hopefully these pics post correctly!

 

[fishincondition]

Re: Help with Steering!!

I did search on here about this and found a couple useful tips to possibly lube the tube with new grease, etc but I think the whole setup is wrong. I don't think the mount should be directly under the motor...this is what prevents it from locking in the "up" position. does anyone know how it may have been setup stock? pics possibly??

thanks again!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help with Steering!!

I did search on here about this and found a couple useful tips to possibly lube the tube with new grease, etc but I think the whole setup is wrong. I don't think the mount should be directly under the motor...this is what prevents it from locking in the "up" position. does anyone know how it may have been setup stock? pics possibly??

thanks again!

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,... Yer Right, that's a screwed up installation....

Ya don't have a tilt tube on that motor, so that ain't yer problem,...

That "Mount" should be further up the cable, to the starboard-side....
Probably the wrong extension arm too...

other's will be along with more ideas, Good luck...

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Help with Steering!!

...except I noticed it was unusually hard to turn the steering wheel parked or on the move.

IMHO you should deal with this first due to the safety implications! I recommend you disconnect the steering linkage from the motor and do some testing. Check to see if the motor turns easily from side to side. If not, it may only need some lube or worse. If yes, then test the steering system which should move very easily with no motor connected. If not, then it may be as simple as cleaning and lubing the support tube or, worse case, the cable is rusted internally due to water incursion and should be replaced.

It appears the PO adapted a clamp block designed for inboard applications to that boat. Moving it more starboard as Bond-o suggested may be all that is needed to allow you to put the motor in the tilt-lock postion. However, that will not make the installation correct. The link below from the iboats.com store will let you see what the proper hardware is for outboard installations and help you decide how you want to proceed. Good luck!

Teleflex Steering Replacement Parts - iboats

 

[fishincondition]

Re: Help with Steering!!

Bond-O and Willyclay, thanks for the info... I agree moving the current mounting block starboard may help with getting the motor in the tilt-lock position and I thought about it however it seems that I would then need to drill 4 new holes into the transom and I am nervous about that. I am definitely going to detach the steering from the motor and see if either are still hard to move, I will post results later today.

I did try to remove this bolt ( pictured) and it seems the entire thread and bolt move together so it just spins...is there a trick to this bolt? I will attempt to remove the bolts at the motor but still wonder why I cannot remove the one in the pic???

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help with Steering!!

Bond-O and Willyclay, thanks for the info... I agree moving the current mounting block starboard may help with getting the motor in the tilt-lock position and I thought about it however it seems that I would then need to drill 4 new holes into the transom and I am nervous about that. I am definitely going to detach the steering from the motor and see if either are still hard to move, I will post results later today.

I did try to remove this bolt ( pictured) and it seems the entire thread and bolt move together so it just spins...is there a trick to this bolt? I will attempt to remove the bolts at the motor but still wonder why I cannot remove the one in the pic???

Ayuh,.... Loosen the nut on top of the motor's tiller arm, 'n back out, 'n remove the bolt goin' through it....

That'll make it easier to get at the bolt in yer picture, which should just turn out....

Btw,... Whether ya wanta drill holes or not, that system needs Fixin', before Usin' it...

 

[fishincondition]

Re: Help with Steering!!

so I removed the bolt at the motor's tiller arm and motor moves with ease...tried the steering wheel while detached from motor and it feels the same, hard to turn. Apparently it is something in the steering itself.

Bond-o, I agree it needs fixin' now I need to come up with something quick so I can be ready for the water when the weather warms up!

do you think this will require a complete cable replacement? is it possible to work with what I have? any ideas or pictures of other setups would be greatly appreciated. I may look into the mount thet Willyclay posted on here but not sure if the existing cable will work with it?

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Help with Steering!!

Apparently it is something in the steering itself.

Totally agree! Three possible problem areas are: 1. Helm, 2. Cable or 3. Support tube. First place I would check is the support tube. It may be rusted/corroded inside causing the telescopic-ram end of the cable not to move freely. It can be cleaned like a shotgun barrel. Once cleaned, it must be well-lubed with white silicone grease or any water-resistant marine lube. The seal on the end of the support tube is the only feature in the system for keeping water out in the future so inspect it carefully. Good luck!

 

[fishincondition]

Re: Help with Steering!!

Totally agree! Three possible problem areas are: 1. Helm, 2. Cable or 3. Support tube. First place I would check is the support tube.

I am still having trouble removing the nut from the steering arm I had mentioned above. It seems to spin in place both forward and back but not move up or down the threads...possibly stripped?? I was so frustrated with it this afternoon I almost took a cutoff wheel to it...I refrained from that but still no luck

I will try again tomorrow and see what happens. as soon as I can get this off I plan to do as you say and clean the support tube thoroughly and see if that helps! if not I will be back on here asking for tips on cable replacement:grumpy:

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Help with Steering!!

I am still having trouble removing the nut from the steering arm I had mentioned above.

I looked at your pictures again and do not have a clue. Only suggestion I have is to unbolt the support tube from the clamp block so you can more closely inspect the end of the bolt on the steering arm. While I have my doubts, it may have an Allen-screw fitting to hold it and allow you to unbolt the nut. If you decide to cut it off, try to only cut the nut so as not to destroy the entire arm. You may need it. Good luck!

 

[etracer68]

Re: Help with Steering!!

That clamp in the middle, may be or have crashed the tube, not alot of clearance in them. I would try and unbolt it, see if the steering frees up.

 

[fishincondition]

Re: Help with Steering!!

UPDATE: finally got that bolt off I have been messing with, the threads were stripped on the arm so now I am going to need a replacement. any ideas where to buy replacement arms like this?

etracer - thanks for the advice, now that I have the bolt off I am able to remove the tube and see what may be causing the binding, I will post another picture once I get it apart.

thanks again to all for the info and advice, this is a great site!!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help with Steering!!

UPDATE: finally got that bolt off I have been messing with, the threads were stripped on the arm so now I am going to need a replacement. any ideas where to buy replacement arms like this?

etracer - thanks for the advice, now that I have the bolt off I am able to remove the tube and see what may be causing the binding, I will post another picture once I get it apart.

thanks again to all for the info and advice, this is a great site!!!

Ayuh,.... Did ya click the link Willy posted in post #4,..??

I'm thinkin' you oughta be thinkin' 'bout replacin' the Whole Shebang with what Oughta be there, insteada what's there now, which is All wrong...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help with Steering!!

I'm thinkin' you oughta be thinkin' 'bout replacin' the Whole Shebang with what Oughta be there, insteada what's there now, which is All wrong...

Indeed.

Another place to check Ezy Glide stick steering systems and cables in stock. (scroll most of the way down, product called #EG-LPK Fresh Water Kit)

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Help with Steering!!

any ideas where to buy replacement arms like this?

Not really because the PO adapted "stuff" to make it work and that causes you not to be able to just shop for a steering link arm for a 1969 Evinrude 55HP motor. Since you have to spend some money, as Bond-o recommends, why not buy the correct stuff?

As best I can tell with this old Geezer brain of mine, I think you only need the correct transom clamp and clevis kit to properly connect the existing steering system to your motor. Of course, that is based on the assumption that the existing cable and support tube are serviceable. FYI, I have the Teleflex installation instructions scanned and saved from when I converted my 1970 Glastron V-153 to mechanical steering. They contain lots of technical info as well as diagrams with dimensions that probably will help you fix your problem. If you want copies, send me a PM with your email address and I will return them as an attachment to an email. Good luck!

EDIT: http://www.iboats.com/Teleflex-Tran...56224274--session_id.759458057--view_id.40272

 

[fishincondition]

Re: Help with Steering!!

OK, so I am taking all of your guys advice and am replacing the whole setup. I found a teleflex rotary kit to replace the helm and cable for around $150 and for the Transom mount I decided to go with a Splashwell mount since I already have a hole cut in the splashwell for the cable. I may end up having to drill a smaller hole for the electrical and throttle cables but that should not be a problem...this way I can make it cleaner anyway! any chance someone out there has one of these splashwell mounts in their inventory of spare parts?? New it is going to cost me around $100. I already found one online so I will probably end up getting a new one, just thought I could ask I will post pics of the new setup once completed...hopefully soon!

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Help with Steering!!

any chance someone out there has one of these splashwell mounts in their inventory of spare parts??

Sorry but no. Never had one of those in all my different boats over the many years. Good luck!

 

[fishincondition]

Re: Help with Steering!!

OK, so I ordered a new teleflex steering kit with new helm and cable as well as the Splash well mount and Clevis kit. Got everything for about $200 online and installed this weekend. Here's what it looks like, works great!!!!!

I still need to put the boot on the end of the mounting tube to keep the dust/dirt out, I do know it is missing

I still need to do something with the old mounting location but for now I just cut off the long bolts down to the standoffs, eventually I will fill the holes in, this boat still has some work left on it as far as patching various mounting holes.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Help with Steering!!

I still need to put the boot on the end of the mounting tube to keep the dust/dirt out,

Everything looks good; congratulations on a job well done. Regarding the boot, you have to keep the water out or it will kill your new steering cable. I like these:

Steering Cable Boot - Seadog Line 521700 - iboats

 

[fishincondition]

Re: Help with Steering!!

I like these:

Steering Cable Boot - Seadog Line 521700 - iboats

Thanks!! I am going to order one of these this weekend!