MC-1 Steering Issues

[tomdinwv]

Hey guys. Need help with a steering problem. Boat is a 1975 Sea Ray with a Mercruiser 233 (Ford 351)/MC-1.

Here's what happened. Took the boat out the other day, started up river with no problems. Stopped to move something in the boat and when I went back into gear and tried to steer, I had nothing. Limped it back to the dock and put her back on the trailer. Today I pulled the steering cable (Teleflex rack style) and checked it. It's fine. Had my wife turn the OD left to right, right to left a few times while I held the rod the cable connects to. The rod moved back and forth when she turned it. I then moved the rod back and forth. The OD didn't move at all. Just felt a slight bump or pop through the rod. Just wondering what to expect when I pull the OD/ gimbal assembly. I looked at you tube and saw some videos on the alpha one but not the MC-1. They showed problems with the steering arm in the transom assembly. I'd just like an idea what I'm getting into. Am I going to end up pulling the transom assembly? I saw they make a kit to make an access hole in the Alpha 1 to gain access to the arm and reseal the hole. Does anyone make one for the MC-1? Just wondering if anyone has ran into this on the MC-1 and what they found. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[henleyhale]

My mc1 doesnt have a hex nut onbit like the alpha does up top, it has a slot, that looks like someones tried to service it and failed, i didnt need to service it so i left it alone, my thoughts were to weld a thin flat bar into a socket and use my acetylene torch to heat it up real good the try to break it. I honestly hope i never have too, because the slot doesnt look deep enough to put any heavy torque on it.

 

[tomdinwv]

Pulled the OD and bell housing yesterday. Going to pull the gimbal ring when I get some time and energy. It's either the gimbal ring or the splined shaft that turns it. I'll know for sure when I get the gimbal ring off and check the splines.

 

[mvd2bze]

What was the verdict?