How to lube steering system

[retiredfornow]

Have a 1996 17' Sailfish with center console. The steering is really hard, stiff and jerky. It must be the cable is rusted or corroded, since the boat sat out in the weather for 2 years before I bought it. Is there a way to lube the cable? I know there's an attachment to put on motorcycle cables to shoot oil in them, wondered if there is something for boats. The cable goes from the motor, dives down into a pipe under the deck (inaccessable) and exits under the center console, along with all the electrical wires. Hate to think about pulling it out to replace it, cause I'd never get it back thru. Any ideas?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: How to lube steering system

Those steering cables are a wear item........

 

[Chris1956]

Re: How to lube steering system

Most of the time the steering cable rod ends corrode into the tilt tube on the motor. If you have that issue, just clean up the steering rod and relube it. If you disconect the bignut on the titl tube that holds the steering cable, and turn the steering wheel, you should be able to tell what is corroded.

 

[retiredfornow]

Re: How to lube steering system

I unhooked the steering from the motor, and the motor turned easily. Pulled the steering link out as far as I could, and the steeering tilt tube was real rusty inside. Sprayed a can of brake cleaner into it, and cleaned it out until it was dry. Put some sand paper on a gun cleaning rod, chucked it in a drill, and ran it thru there as far as I could for a long time, changing sandpaper now and then. Sprayed more brake cleaner in the tube, then PB Blaster and Liguid Wrench, cleaning it with the gun rod with rags attached untill it was clean. Sprayed more PB Blaster in , greased up the steering link, pushed it thru the tilt tube and hooked it back up. Not one finger steering now, but 2 fingers for sure.
Ths is my first boat, and I'll pay attention to that area for maintenance. Looks like they would have put a seal where the link goes thru, cause I can see how water can get in there. Salt water doesn't help matters.

 

[retiredfornow]

Re: How to lube steering system

Thanks Chris, I figured it out. You are correct, that is where it was binding up.

 

[emoney]

Re: How to lube steering system

Saltwater can and will reek havoc on a steering system, I'm replacing a cable on a jet boat as we speak thanks to it's wicked ways. A little WD40 misted on everything never hurts either.