steering cable stuck in tilt tube

[kcan1]

i have a 87' johnson 225 on a VIP center console. The steering cable will move in and out of the tilt tube, however the eyelet end that the engine bolts onto will not move in or out (stuck in). The eyelet will turn about 1/4 turn and i can see it moving the cable on the other side of the tube. How do i remove the cable from the tilt tube? Or what could be causing it to be stuck?

After reading alot of the other posts i looked into the tube and from what i can tell it was greased pretty well. The eylet on the outgoing side of the tube appears to be larger that the tube itself, so beating it through probably wont work. But, I beat on it anyways with no luck.
I cant understand why the eylet will turn side to side but not go in and out.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: steering cable stuck in tilt tube

remove the nut holding the cable on the starboard side on the tilt tube. the cable will come out. i use a block of hard wood to protect the rod end, and drive it out. you may have to lift the motor off the boat, inorder to get room. why because your tilt tune, and out side of the cable have rusted up. replace cable.

 

[kcan1]

Re: steering cable stuck in tilt tube

Well, i tried beating it back through with a 4lb sledge hammer with no luck. I have plenty of room to work in but i cant get this thing to budge. I have even attached a bolt and strap to it and tried to winch it out. If i hacksawed the end off do you think it would pull out so i could put a new one on it?

By the way i got this boat from a family member after it sat for 3 years. I was glad to have it at the time now i am not so sure!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: steering cable stuck in tilt tube

has it been a salt water boat? did you remove the nut holding the cable housing to the tilt tube? clik on pic to enlarge.

 

[kcan1]

Re: steering cable stuck in tilt tube

yes it was in salt water. yes i removed the nut. it looks very similar to the picture you just sent. (thanks for your help)

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: steering cable stuck in tilt tube

it is rusted in really good. salt water don't help. it may be so bad, you have to change the tilt tube

 

[cx380]

Re: steering cable stuck in tilt tube

Mine was the same way. I had to beat the heck out of it to get it out. I had to use a long drift and a large hammer and a LOT of PB blaster. After I got it out I had to get a new steering cable. I should have replaced the tube too but I just ended up honing it out with a home made tool ( a metal shaft about the size of a pencil maybe a little longer. cut a line down the middle about 2 inches long so you can put some sand paper in it. Then put the other end in your dill)
Anyways make sure you put in a Lube Buddy(I think thats what its called). Its a kit that replaces the 2 nuts and ends of the tube with nuts that have fittings on them. The nut on the starboard side has a fitting for cable lube and the nut on the port side has a zerk fitting to grease the shaft. The only mod you have to do to install it is to drill the tube where the fittings are.

Good luck. Jon

PS. Maybe applying some heat or using a heavy duty air hammer will help to remove the shaft from the tube.