Mercury stiff steering.

[ninx10]

I have a 1983 Mercury 150 on a 1989 venture bass boat and the steering is very very stiff. Any way to loosen it up or do I have to replace the cables?<br /><br />If I have to replace the cables any idea which ones to use and how difficult it is to install them?<br /><br />Lastly, the turning radius is horrible on the boat taking forever to make a turn. Any ideas on what I can do to make the boat turn better?<br /><br />Thanks for any suggestions.<br /><br />Eric

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Mercury stiff steering.

Is it the cables that is stiff or the motor? The motor has a few grease zerts that need lube at least once a year.

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Mercury stiff steering.

Check where the Cables mount to the motor .. to get the best turning that the engine is capable of it will need to be on the mount closest to the piviot point. HOWEVER by doing this you are losing Leverage on the engine ..and guess what it will be even harder to turn. Is this a cable /pully system or a rack and pinion?? I have a Rack and Pinion that was very stiff to turn ,, others here have explaned how to lube them .. some times it works other times it may not. I added a grease zerk to the push pull cables near the engine and put some very runny light gease (mixed it up my self) White lithium and Slick 50 and pumped it into the cables .. its kinda hard to discribe where to put the zerk and I am sure they all look a bit diffrent. I wrapped the part of the cable that was "open " with a bunch of electric tape so that the grease would go toward the steering wheel. I would put a few pumps in and move things around ..then waited a few days and did it again and again and again. Mine is much better than before but not perfect.