Through Tilt Tube

[thakang67]

Hello to all. I'm a newbie so if I'm not in the right forum I apologize. Here's my question...
I took my crest pontoon out the other day and the steering was alittle tight. When I got it home and washed it down I got under the helm and tightened everything down behind the wheel and it seemed to fix the problem. I went to it a couple of days later and just to start it up and keep everything kosher. The motor would not turn so I greased all the fittings started the motor up and after a minute or two it started to turn. I went to it yesterday and it won't turn at all now. Does the grease dry and form some sort of bond on the through tilt tube and if so what can I do to free it up. It's hot down here in SW Fl so I will get a cover for the motor but until then, how can I free the tilt tube up?
Thank you

 

[roscoe]

Re: Through Tilt Tube

Disconnect the cable from the tilt tube.

See if the steering cable moves freely.

See if the motor moves freely.

Now you know what to work on.

If the motor does not move freely, the pivot tube is where to start looking.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Through Tilt Tube

Ayuh,... It's probably corrosion between the tilt tube, 'n the cable end...

Take it apart, clean, 'n regrease it...

 

[cr2k]

Re: Through Tilt Tube

What Bond-o said. Some steering cables have a zerk on them. Don't grease this unless you absolutely know what you are doing as this done improperly can cause the cable to seize do to the grease friction.

It may just be ready for replacement, it happens, they don't last forever.

 

[thakang67]

Re: Through Tilt Tube

Thank you all...I believe it time to be replaced but I will attempt to clean and re-grease it first.

 

[relocyo]

Re: Through Tilt Tube

Hey good luck there, I just removed mine, sort of the same scenario leading up to relacement, unfortunately I had to cut mine starboard side with an angle grinder and cut off wheel and pull it out the opposite way using the eye hole as leverage, make sure u soak it with liquid wrench, if its like mine its good and corroded in there! Best of luck to you!

 

[thakang67]

Re: Through Tilt Tube

Thank you for the advice and now that i'm learning more bout outboards i see that it isn't rocket science just common since. With that being said, I'm stumped, can I remove the steering cable without cherry picken the motor to clean out the tilt tube or should I take pressure off the motor to clean it out?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Through Tilt Tube

Depending on the boat, you can sometimes move the motor to the port side, to give enough space to pull the steering rod out. Make sure the steering rod is all the way shortened (steering wheel all the way left)

 

[thakang67]

Re: Through Tilt Tube

I want to thank you all for your input! The first thing I did, was what rosco said and it wasn't the pivot tube. The second thing i did, was what bondo said to do. I took out the steering cable and cleaned the tube out with a 12 gauge shotgun cleaner. The tube was not in really bad shape but I see myself replacing it within 6 months (Come on tax return!!). Chris1956, I didn't have to cherry pick the motor (I called a local marine shop). I put a little tranny oil on the cable and greased the rod and tube. It went in like a charm and after attaching the steering rod, my problem was solved!! Everything is working better than ever!!! I can move my motor with one finger (my pinky finger) to starboard and port. I'm on limited funds so I made my own portside boot with an old pool grommet that I will replace with the proper boot when I have the funds. Once again, thank you VERY MUCH for all your help.