mercruiser steering very hard, even when disconnected from Steering cable

[timbehnen]

I have a 1993 Larson with a Mercruiser alpha one 4.3. I was greasing all the fittings this weekend and after greasing the the steering fitting, it now steers very hard. If I disconnect the connection to the steering wheel and try to manuall move the lower unit back and forth, it moves but takes a lot of force. Can you over grease the steering? If so, how do I undo what I did?

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser steering very hard, even when disconnected from Steering cable

Can you over grease the steering?

Ayuh,... I wouldn't think so, but Maybe.... I'd just try working back 'n forth, see if it loosens up...

Btw,... Welcome Aboard...

 

[ziggy]

Re: mercruiser steering very hard, even when disconnected from Steering cable

i know nothing of your problem. but it sounds like you greased a zerk. i suppose you could remove the zerk to see if the grease is actually inhibiting motion. i'd think removing the zerk would give the grease somewhere to go if it's the problem. most things that i've over greased, the grease comes out somewhere though.

 

[timbehnen]

Re: mercruiser steering very hard, even when disconnected from Steering cable

Tonight I was able to disconnect the lower unit from the power steering unit and the steering wheel cable from the lower unit. The steering wheel turns very easily. The lower unit turns very easily. Which means the resistance must be coming from the powersteering unit, which is what I greased.

I will hook it all back up and try turning the wheel back and forth to see if it loosens up. Any other ideas?

 

[timbehnen]

Re: mercruiser steering very hard, even when disconnected from Steering cable

When I greased the steering zirk, after several pumps, I did see greese coming out from behind a rubber seal. So that's what's got me confused on how it could be over greased. But I don't know of anything else that changed between when it steered easily and when it did not.