Steering Linkage Question

[minuteman62-64]

On the final stages of getting my boat back in service. Working on hooking up the new steering cable today. Doesn't look right.

Motor is 1982 30 HP Mariner. I pulled it back in April and took it to a mechanic to have it brought back to life. Unfortunately I didn't take a photo of the steering linkage in its original position. I've tried to re-assemble as I remembered it and in a way that seems appropriate.

The first photo shows the questionable area. If I tighten the bolt that goes through the ball joint all the way (thus bringing the ball joint up flush against the bracket), the bolt clears the tilt lever but the link binds against the bracket that (I think) would support the tiller handle if there was one. This prevents a full turn to port.

If I back the bolt out as far as I can, and still leave enough thread for the lock-nut, I have clearance for a full turn to port. However, the bolt through the ball joint hits the tilt lever.

The way it is shown in the photos the bolt through the ball joint is extended to the point where it just clears the tilt lever. This allows the link to just clear the tiller handle bracket. This seems like too close a clearance for both the ball joint bolt/tilt lever and the link/tiller handle bracket. Particularly with the motor running and a little shaking/vibration.

The only thing I moved when I removed the motor was to detach the ball joint and the steering cable connections for the link. The only thing I can think of that the mechanic might have moved would be the bracket that receives the ball joint bolt - however, it doesn't look like it was disturbed.

The remaining two photos show the general configuration of the linkage.

Does it look right? Am I missing anything?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Steering Linkage Question

looks good , except the nylock nut on the top of the linkage on the motor, looks a bit too tall, like the bolt threads may not be reaching the nylon on the nut. Hard to tell from the photo.

If in doubt, get a shorter nut from the hardware store.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Steering Linkage Question

So .... can I be comfortable that the tight squeeze between the link and the tiller bracket and the ball joint bolt and the tilt lever is normal and won't cause problems when underway?

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Steering Linkage Question

These two attached photos better illustrate my concern. First a shot of the link arm in the only position that will allow the bolt through the ball joint to clear the tilt lever and the arm to clear the tiller handle bracket. Second, a close-up of the bolt through the ball joint into the bracket on the motor.

The bolt through the ball joint is secured by threads in the bracket and a lock-nut on top. Went down to the Shelter Island launch ramp yesterday to look at other motor installations and they all had the ball joint bolted flush against the bracket. Do I have a reason to be concerned with the setup I have, with the ball joint about 1/4" below the bottom of the bracket?

I can get a longer bolt so the lock nut seats fully. I can also get a spacer to fit between the ball joint and the bottom of the bracket - but don't know if that would be secure enough.

I noticed that most of the applications I looked at yesterday had the link arm with a slight "Z" bend just before the ball joint. This allowed plenty of clearance for both the tilt lever and the tiller handle bracket. Has anyone actually put a bend in their link arm to gain extra clearance?

 

[57crestliner]

Re: Steering Linkage Question

Flip the bracket on the motor? Blue, with rust. Move atachment point to front of handle?

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Steering Linkage Question

Flip the bracket on the motor? Blue, with rust. Move atachment point to front of handle?

Hmmm. That could work. I'll try it tomorrow. The issue may be if I lose too many degrees of turn by doing so.

I'm pretty sure the bracket was not flipped when I took it in for service. However, that's not to say it hasn't been in the wrong position all along (since I purchased it).

 

[dlngr]

Re: Steering Linkage Question

Could you switch ends on the rod? Bent end of rod to motor,ball joint on steer cable end?

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Steering Linkage Question

Could you switch ends on the rod? Bent end of rod to motor,ball joint on steer cable end?

The bracket on the motor is threaded to receive the flange bolt that goes through the ball joint. Because of the length of the rod it would not be possible to thread the bent end into the bracket. I'd have to drill the threads out and use a nut to attach it. That would be way different from the other rigs I've seen, and would be irreversable, so I wouldn't want to go there except as a last resort.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Steering Linkage Question

Ok, somehow I guess I only looked at 2 of the original photos, and focussed on the actual attachment.
I see your concerns now.

T&R marine makes a link specific to Mariner motors under 40 hp.


But it may actually address this issue. I would contact them for more info.

I have purchased a boat that had the wrong link, a long one, bent to fit. Steering was limited in one direction, the correct link fixed it.


Found this diagram of the link mount.
http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury-outboard/parts/703_200.cfm

Here is a diagram of the drag link arm that I believe fits your motor.
It appears to drop down, then over, than a 90* turn aft, then down again.

Should be Mercury part number 853824A 1

Double check with a Merc dealer before dropping the $50.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Steering Linkage Question

Thanks, roscoe. I looked at the link on the T&R Marine site and it looks exactly like the one I have.

The diagram of the Merc. link was most helpful - that one looks like it will work. I went to my local Merc dealer, fortunately with the diagram and part no. you provided (they were not real clued in to anything much older than year 2000 ). Went ahead and ordered it - if it turns out not to work I'll be out shipping and handling, but that won't be a bad trade-off. If it doesn't work, my back up may be to reverse the bracket on the motor - that looks like it may work.

Roscoe, do you have the link for the drawing of the Merc. part in your post? I'd like to take a closer look at all of the parts involved and I can't do that with just the copy in your post.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Steering Linkage Question

http://www.dougrussell.com/partscatalog/collections/index.cfm?fuseaction=collectdetails&colid=02


I used the "30 2cyl international link", as the others did not have the link arm shown. The link arm is shown under the "accessories",

http://www.dougrussell.com/partscat...00,0,20,200,210,220,230,190,30,120,50,140,260




For other parts, specific to your motor, you should use the link for your motor, then serial number.



.

 

[minuteman62-64]

Re: Steering Linkage Question

Bingo. $62 for the Mercury part number provided by roscoe and here it is - a fit. Full steering range w/no binding (see attached photo). Slight slop because the new bolt through the bracket is a little smaller in diameter than the old hole - but I can live with that.

I now have this old link, that came with the boat, and I suspect is a generic (see other attached photo). It will fit a pre 1993, under 40 HP Mariner, although w/reduced range of motion. Possibly could be bent or otherwise adjusted to fit a specific application, but I'm not sure. Anyone in the San Diego area want it? I may take a shot at Craigs List before I'd give it away - but I'd rather give it away than throw it away or just have it thrown into a corner.