Lubing shifter, steering cables and tilt tube

[trobinson017]

Thanks much to several of you for your help in getting my boat back on the water. Now that the major problems have been fixed with the Johnson 130 outboard I'm moving on to some other nagging, although not show-stopping, issues.

First, my Bombardier/OMC side mount shifter is acting up, not shifting easily into forward/reverse from neutral and I believe it needs lubricating or maybe cable adjustment. Also, my Teleflex steering system is getting pretty loose with lots of play so those cables need adjusting as well. I know nothing about either cable adjustment and my engine/boat manuals do not cover them. I don't have a Teleflex manual. I also don't have a Bombardier/OMC manual for the throttle/shifter unit. Any pointers on how to adjust these cables would be much appreciated.

For lubrication all I have on hand is a tube of LubriMatic Multi-purpose Lithium Grease. Can I use that for the cables? Also, on the motor mounting bracket itself on the inboard transom side there are two grease fittings. My engine manual calls them "tilt tubes" but doesn't explain them. I'm guessing they are part of the tilt system but I can't see how. Can I use the lithium grease for that? The manual says to use OMC Triple Guard grease but I haven't been able to find that in local stores. Not sure if lithium grease is similar.

As always, any help is greatly appreciated. The help I got from y'all to get my engine running correctly was awesome! It cranks right up now and tilt is working fine.

trob

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Lubing shifter, steering cables and tilt tube

you don't say how old they are. you can not lube shift/throttle cables, or steering cables. no adjustment on steering cable. the zerk grease fitting, lubes the tilt hinge on the motor, not steering. the cable just goes thru the tube. look under the steering console and see what type of steering you have.

this is rotary system

this is rack system

 

[trobinson017]

Re: Lubing shifter, steering cables and tilt tube

Hi Tash,

Thanks for the reply. My steering is the rotary type in the first picture.

All the components came new with the boat which was made in 1999. The Johnson 130 outboard is also a '99. The boat was in probate holding when the dealer went bankrupt in 2000. I bought it in 2003 and am the first and only owner. So I know these components are original.

If the steering can't be adjusted then I guess I'll have to buy a new system. Which is better, rotary or rack?

The shift/throttle unit is similar to this one:
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|215570|218766|292252|314573&id=54629

I do have a schematic of the unit that I downloaded from that website. But I'm don't have a clue how to properly read it so am not going to attempt any repairs on my own. If I can get some guidance I'll use it as a reference.

So with the tilt tube would lithium grease be okay to use via the zerk grease fittings?

Thanks again!!

trob
St. Petersburg, FL
Go Bucs! (fan since 1976)
Go Gators! (fan since 1976)

 

[trobinson017]

Re: Lubing shifter, steering cables and tilt tube

Oh, one other question about my engine. It seems lately, say, the past 8 months, it's been putting out thicker blue smoke and sometimes a slick on the water. It's a 2 stroke engine so I know to expect some smoke but I haven't seen it this thick nor the slick. (rhyme not intended!)

Should I be concerned at all?

trob

 

[F_R]

Re: Lubing shifter, steering cables and tilt tube

Somebody here uses the motto "any grease is better than no grease" But I gotta tell you that the Triple Guard grease is far better than that other stuff you are proposing. And if you ever have to repair the corrosion damage in that assembly you would have paid anything to have done it right way back when.

If you don't have an Evinrude dealer to buy the Triple Guard from, how about a Mercury or Yamaha dealer? They both have just as good stuff.

Everybody worries about oil slick these days. I say if it runs good leave it alone. Use 100% synthetic TC-W3 outboard oil if you are concerned about the environment and smoke.

 

[trobinson017]

Re: Lubing shifter, steering cables and tilt tube

Tashasdaddy,

I responded to your question about which type of steering unit I have. It's the rotary type you show in the pics you posted to this thread. I haven't heard back from you. Do you have any further advice or helpful tips to adjust the steering and/or shifter?

Thanks!
trob

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Lubing shifter, steering cables and tilt tube

rather than replace the complete system change the cable. helms, very seldom go bad. also replace your control cables. cable have #'s on the black sheath, those are your replacement #'S. when i was a teenager, i spent summers in St.Pete, pass a grill beach. also Florida is spelled wrong, in your location.

 

[trobinson017]

Re: Lubing shifter, steering cables and tilt tube

rather than replace the complete system change the cable. helms, very seldom go bad. also replace your control cables. cable have #'s on the black sheath, those are your replacement #'S. when i was a teenager, i spent summers in St.Pete, pass a grill beach. also Florida is spelled wrong, in your location.

Thanks for the info, Tash! Yeah, I misspelled "Florida" on purpose. It's how all my buddies in the Air Force pronounced the name so I used it here as a nod to them. They're all from "Floda" too.

trob

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Lubing shifter, steering cables and tilt tube

works for me.