Steering problem help!!

[bigcountry29]

I recently bought a 1993 16' alumacraft with a 1993 25 hp mercury. Went to turn the steering wheel and it spun freely with a little resistance but motor did not turn. Tried to pull cable out of the motor and got it most of the way out of the steering tube but its a little stuck but when I turn the wheel now I can see that the cable moves as I turn but when it hits either end it still spins freely with some resistance. So my question is: is it the helm, cable or does the steering tube needs greasing or replacing...? Help!
Thanks,
Lance.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Steering problem help!!

The first thing I would suspect is the wheel is slipping on the hub of the helm. With out actually seeing your set up I would suggest that you remove the bezel in the center of the wheel and operate the steering. If the wheel keeps turning and the shaft in the center stays still that is your problem.

I investigate an accident several years ago where the previous owner of the boat had installed a wheel that was not a match for the helm so he put a couple of spots of weld to secure it. End result - wife towing husband on skis with two young children in boat. Welds left loose as she was turning and boat went straight into the bank and hit a tree at the waters edge. One young girl had a broken sternum and a lot of damage to boat.

If this problem is caused by sheared or worn parts between the helm and wheel do not jury rig it but replace it. If just a loose bolt or nut fix and give it a good test before using the boat.

 

[limitout]

Re: Steering problem help!!

the steering box has a cone shaped hub with teeth all around that the steering wheel locks into, if they put the wrong wheel on it then it might be a style with keyway (lawn mowers and tractors) that uses a key slot to hold it in place and without the key in it its slipping a little under the nut.

next your problem is going to be in the steering box or the wheel and im sure its going to turn out to be your wheel.

remove the cap on the steering wheel and remove the nut and the wheel then report back what you find.

if you need a new wheel they only cost about $25-$30

if it turns out to be the steering hub (average cost $65) then if it were me I would buy a whole new steering kit that has the hub and a new steering cable for only $130 then buying just the hub. if that sounds good to you then look here: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...Rotary+Steering+Cable/Kit+&_sacat=0&_from=R40

one caution to watch for during your inspection is sometimes the metal crimp fitting on the steering cable gets rusty where it locks into the hub so let its condition be a big part of deciding how to proceed when you find whats actually wrong. if that rusty connection fails the cable comes free and you lose all steering control.

if you just want a quick easy 100% fix then go for the whole complete steering kit and replace the entire steering system cable, hub, and wheel for $150. if that sounds good to you look here: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...TEERING+PACKAGE+WITH+WHEEL&_sacat=0&_from=R40


once you have solved your steering problems, clean out the motor mount tube very well and grease it up good then turn the wheel to fully extend the cable and then wipe it down good with grease and reinsert the steering cable and make your connections.

 

[boobie]

Re: Steering problem help!!

My suggestion would be is to get the whole steering kit and then you're done with it. The price is right.