Should steering require two hands

[tytoolbelt]

I'm cleaning up my used boat I just bought and noticed that the steering is a little hard. I realize that it's not suppose to have power steering or anything, but I do get a little bit of a workout when turning the steering wheel. Other than the test run I havn't taken it out so the only time I've turned the wheel is in my driveway.

Any thoughts?

Ty

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Should steering require two hands

what kind of boat, outboard, or inboard outboard. what year, type of steering. look under the console for the type helm, the top pic is rotary, bottom is rack system. need this info to help.

 

[Pursuit2150]

Re: Should steering require two hands

More info would be helpful.
However I have owned boats from 16' up 42', and was able to turn any steering wheel with (1) one finger.

 

[tytoolbelt]

Re: Should steering require two hands

1983 Outboard Evinrude 140TRL. It's a rack system from 1978. The motor has a zert which has been greased well. There is no way I can turn it without putting my back into it.

 

[tytoolbelt]

Re: Should steering require two hands

Just checked it out....it's a rack with one cable. In this situation is there any possibility to clean instead of buy?

 

[vandy21]

Re: Should steering require two hands

when i turn mine (on the trailer), it practically spins the second half of the turn on its own. I just have to turn it lightly.

 

[Don S]

Re: Should steering require two hands

Disconnect the linkage arm that hooks the motor to the steering cable. Does the motor move?
Try the steering, does it move easy? If not, unscrew the nut from the steering cable where it hooks to the motor.
If it still steers hard, you need a new helm and cable.
If it steers easy. Does the cable move away from the motor and back to it as you steer? If so, that Stainless steel cable end is corroded into the aluminum pivot tube on the motor. Heat usually helps free it up, then pull it out, clean the tube, grease it up with a light grease and hook it all back up.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Should steering require two hands

That grease zerk is for the movement of the engine on the transom bracket. Unless you have installed a greasable cable nut.
If it's not the tube binding as Don mentioned, I would suspect it to be a frayed cable (inner).
At rest, my 200 falls to the side of the boat you're standing on.

 

[tytoolbelt]

Re: Should steering require two hands

Awsome guys...tomorrow after work I will spend some time and take pictures. Thanks for the help.

 

[hrzracr23]

Re: Should steering require two hands

I had the same thing with my boat but I didnt know anything about boats so I just assumed that was normal....until there was a snap and then the wheel turner freely and the motor stayed in the same place lol I replaced the steering system from a kit off of this website and its so much better now

 

[DJ]

Re: Should steering require two hands

You do not want a steering cable to snap while underway.

Check the items listed above. If there is any doubt-replace it. They are available right here on boats.

I just bought one here.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Should steering require two hands

my suggestion is to replace with a new Teleflex no feedback rotary system.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Should steering require two hands

Yes, if it snaps while underway, not a pretty picture.
One did that on my pontoon.
Should have seen me, giving it throttle and steering with my foot back to the dock.
If in doubt, replace.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Should steering require two hands

I recently had a similar problem on an '01 boat; rack and pinion. In short, it was the cable and after getting the old one off, I cut it in 3 pieces just for curiousity's sake to see where it was binding; thought is might be at the engine where the cable came out of a deck opening and made a rather sharp turn at the tilt tube. All 3 pieces were faulty.

Upon installing the new one, I rerouted it and insured there was no kinking or binding.

A Morse-Tleflex fixed me up.

Mark

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Should steering require two hands

the reason i suggest the no feedback rotary, is the 140 has a lot of torque steer, just makes steering much easier, you don't have to fight the wheel all the time, easier to install, also.

 

[F_R]

Re: Should steering require two hands

No matter what the cable or steering system, where the cable goes through the tilt tube on the engine is a regular preventative maintenance item. You must pull the cable out and clean it and the tube or else the tube rusts and the cable binds inside it, resulting in hard steering. Do this before considering new cables or complete system replacement. Yes, you may have to lift the motor off the transom to do it, but that's just the way it goes. Ignore it and it will eventually freeze up completely and you will have a devil of a time getting it apart. Now, you have had fair warning!

BTW, as already mentioned, the zerks do not grease the cable, only the tilt.

 

[Kev144]

Re: Should steering require two hands

The odds are its probably your cable. I have a 89 charger DL with a 150 merc OB and it has a dual cable teleflex system and it was quite hard to turn. After pulling the motor off and taking off the cables, both were starting to go stiff. Replaced both cables and it can be turned with one hand easily.

Good luck!

 

[amynbill]

Re: Should steering require two hands

Any thoughts?

Ty

Im thinking you shouldn't be such a girlie man.

 

[tytoolbelt]

Re: Should steering require two hands

I've attached a picture of the cable end...or what I think is the end...Is this what you were talking about getting loose? This is the whole tube and everything from the motor. It doesn't look like the above picture. Maybe I should just stop being a baby and buy a new set. However if I could get this loose and it works fine than I've solved my problems.

 

[tytoolbelt]

Re: Should steering require two hands

Okay...I'm starting to answer my own questions. After doing some more research I'm finding out that my steering cables and parts are crud. This will be my next thing to buy when I have the money. After pulling it out I realized it's all corroded and part of the tube is bent.

I have a 1978, but when people ask what year my boat is I'm going to have to start telling them it's a 2008 with a couple of 1978 parts.

I'll follow up when I get the new one in.