Steering problem

[Swamp Dog]

Hey All,

I just bought a 2001(?) Mercury 75hp 2 stroke on the back of a Sea Ark 1872sc.

It does not turn (steer) well. It turns one way but not the other. Every time we work it a bit and lightly force it a bit of rusty water seeps out. We did this for about 2 minutes in the pouring rain so I am not sure how bad it really is

Should I just grease it good and keep working it?? Should I pull the rod out, clean it, put it back in and grease it??

They guy I bought it from said it gets stuck if he doesn't use it for a month or so but it always "unstucks" itself with a little "helping". They last time he used the boat was about 1.5 months ago.

I don't want to do anymore damage.........please advise!!!

EDIT.......it is just the standard push/pull typical kind of steering........not sure what ya call that.

Thanks,

SD

 

[achris]

Re: Steering problem

Sounds like you have some major problems with that steering...

Remove the steering cable from the engine . Clean the steering tube in the engine VERY WELL.... There is (should be) a plastic nut on the port end of the tube, with an 'o'ring in it... Get a new one... Clean the steering cable and then grease it with a good water resistant grease. Re-assembly it all and then keep the grease up to the tube... Should be a grease fitting (you call them zits or something) in the centre of the tube...

Chris.........

 

[Swamp Dog]

Re: Steering problem

G'day Mate!!

I work with for an Aussie Company........good bunch of Blokes!! Austal gents, you probably know some being from WA.

Thanks for the insight on the steering!!! Sounds simple if it all comes apart easy enough. I appreciate the help!!!

Oh.......and we call them zerks!!

SD

 

[achris]

Re: Steering problem

Austral I know... Don't know anyone who works there... Perth has a population of more than 1.2 million. I haven't got around to meeting them all yet...

Yes, I did know the name (zerk), just yanking your chain

Chris........

 

[j_martin]

Re: Steering problem

Chris,
On my XR4, that zit in the tilt tube doesn't get grease to the steering cable. Don't know why they would do it like that, but it's gonna change next time I get close to it with a drill bit.

John

 

[achris]

Re: Steering problem

On your engine (XR-4) the grease goes on the outside of the tube so the engine will not get seized on the 'tilt' function....

And I've just found it's the same on the 75... whadya know!!! :redface:

So, we now have 2 choices... 1. drill a hole in the tilt tube so the grease can get in there, or 2. if the steering cable is a genuine Quicksilver use the grease nipple on there... If it's not a quicksilver cable, why not?

Chris.........
(well spotted John)

 

[Swamp Dog]

Re: Steering problem

Yeah.......I am still adjusting to that Aussie humor!!!

 

[achris]

Re: Steering problem

Yeah.......I am still adjusting to that Aussie humor!!!

 

[Swamp Dog]

Re: Steering problem

OK..........need a few more details.
I loosened the fitting on the end of the cable (one cable system), Unbolted the steering rod (still sticking when the motor turns left) moved the cable back and forth and got a bunch of crud out. However I am not getting the whole cable out. It gets stuck at the end when trying to go through the big nut right before the tilt tube.

Now I have read you often have to "persuade" the cable through the tube with a drift pin to get it all the way out. My question is do I have to take of both of those big nuts on the end of the tilt tube??? Or do I just poke the cable past both of them??

Got a lot of dry rust/crud out of the tube (as it came out on the cable) so I know it needs a good cleaning in there.

So.........just loosen the cable fitting and carefully pound out the cable???

 

[Swamp Dog]

Re: Steering problem

OK..........persuaded the steering rod out with no problem. Polished up the steering rod and soaked and wiped gunk off for days now. Seems like it is seeping out continuously but definitely really clean now. Also sprayed, cleaned and honed the tilt tube. Still looks pitted in there but I can now slide the steering rod in and out by hand with no lubrication. Even attached the linkage and the motor turns and steers perfectly now.

So........once I get my davis lube nuts for each end of the tilt tube I will put it all back together, fill up the tilt tube and steering cable with the davis fluid/lube and call it good. Also bought an accordian rubber boot for the steering rod.

Cheers folks and thanks for the help!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a bit of advise.........the little brake caliper, stone type hones are questionable. The stones wear down REAL quick and basically just knock off the surface rust. A better solution would have been an abrasive brush from BRM or Flexhone. I think it would have done a much better job and lasted longer.