Tight steering

[Old No 7]

I have a 17' 1988 Sunbird, with a 1989 88HP johnson. Steering has been fine until yesterday. Turning to the right is fine, Turning to the left is OK at first and then gets very tight. I really had to fight it to make a hard left. Speed does not matter, it's tight regardless. I do not have hydraulic steering I believe it is rack & pinion. Is was dark when we got back to the dock last night and could not see anything. I'm going to look at it this afternoon. Any ideas on what I should be checking? Could a cable be bad only to one side? <br /><br />Before the season started, I had a local shop tune the motor up, and he told me he had lubricated "everything" for me, but I have no idea if he touched any of the steering or not.<br /><br />For that matter i'm not sure what should be greased on this. I'm still very new to all this.<br /><br />Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[jim dozier]

Re: Tight steering

Basically its either the cable, the tilt tube, or the vertical steering tube on the engine. Disconnect the steering ram on the cable from the engine then turn the steering wheel. If the wheel turns OK disconnected, turn the engine side to side by hand. If its stiff the steering tube (vertical) on the engine needs lube. If the steering is stiff with the ram disconnected, the problem is in the cable or the tilt tube which the ram runs through. Pull the cable out of the tilt tube. If it turns OK now the problem was the tilt tube.

 

[Old No 7]

Re: Tight steering

Thanks, one more question... What is a tilt tube? Ive read on other posts where the tilt tube needed to be cleaned, bu I'm not sure what it is...

 

[chuckz]

Re: Tight steering

The tilt tube is the tube that the steering cable is threaded onto.<br /><br />P.S. I'm also from Patchogue.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Tight steering

I have found that a quality lube spray works much better than grease for steering ram.Turn the st.wheel all the way until that ram comes out fully.Spray it and wipe it clean and spray it again and turn the wheel all the other way.Repeat this cleaning lubing action and the steering should free up.The best I have used is "One lube" in a red spray can made by slick 50 I believe.Charlie

 

[Old No 7]

Re: Tight steering

Thanks everyone. I'll check the cable, tilt tube, and If i can find it, clean the ram with the One lube tonight.<br /><br />Who carries One lube? Auto parts stores?<br /><br />LI Chuck: Thanks for clarifing that. I had read through a lot of posts on steering before I posted, I just didn't know what the tilt tube was. I thought it was for either hydraulic steering or had something to do with trim tabs. (I have neither). I'm actually in North Patchogue, off Woodside Ave, but my boat is in East Islip. (I have a good friend)<br /><br />It constantly amazes me how much there is to learn on boating.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Tight steering

I think I got the lube one in Aid auto but as I said ,you can use any quality lubricant.I dont recommend wd40,its crap.You need something that dont dry up.Charlie