Omc stringer 800 steering box

[HappierWet]

While I am redoing the intermediate housing, I figured it would be easier to go through the steering box which was stiff. When I pulled it apart there was no gasket between the two halves and what was in the box looked literally like something out of a Baby's diaper ( if the baby had been sitting on a beach at the time....YUCK!) I ordered new bearings and seals. My question is this.. Because the grease was packed into the corners and not riding on moving parts, Would it be better to make a gasket for the two halves and use gear oil, or should I stick with the grease?
BTW the shaft and coupler cleaned up pretty well, and appear to be usable.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Omc stringer 800 steering box

You do know all power goes thru the coupler and shaft?

And you already know what a byatch it is to pull the motor.

Please be absolutly positive the shaft and the coupler is good.

And grease it real real good with a rubber o-ring in the indent on the shaft to keep the grease in.

Stick with the grease.

Theres no zerk to it is there?

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Omc stringer 800 steering box

Really, the shaft and coupler look GOOOOD. Not brand new mind you but no galling or pitting. I popped the cap on the back of the coupler and scrubbed everything. Put a new O-ring in the coupler (not on the shaft) slid the shaft in and inspected the fit from the back side, where the cap would fit into the coupler. It's a nice snug fit. No rotational slop. No vertical or horizontal flex.
I thought if I put oil in the steering box it would at least get an oil bath, and stuff would move around better. I am real unhappy with where the grease was and was not. No, there was not a grease zerk anywhere.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Omc stringer 800 steering box

What am I missing here? I cannot picture a stringer 'steering box'?

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Omc stringer 800 steering box

What am I missing here? I cannot picture a stringer 'steering box'?

It bolts onto the intermediate housing, has along lever that comes down from the push-pull / hydraulic steering. Has a quadrant inside the box with two spur gears then outputs to the gear at the transom which actually turns the outdrive. whew...fairly wordy description