Mercury Ride-Guide Steering adjustment

[efishent]

Not sure if this should be in this section but here goes...

My Mercury ride-guide steering is misaligned, I have about twice as much movement to starboard than to port (almost 2 steering wheel revs to 3/4). Makes control tricky if not down right dangerous in tight quarters around ramps and docks. I'd like to fix that but I can't find the answer in the '83 Merc manual. Is there a separate document for the single Ride-Guide steering. Looks so simple but its got me stumped.

Any suggestions would be great and appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Mercury Ride-Guide Steering adjustment

Ride Guide is rack and pinion. First, be certain that the adjustment at the engine end is set correctly. Locating the permanent cable mount in the incorrect position will skew the rack off center. If it is correct, or if the cable passes through the engine tilt tube then: Pull the long bolt that holds the pinion shaft and steering wheel. There is a large flat washer behind the rack that this bolt secures and it keeps the shaft from pulling out of the rack.Slip out the pinion shaft and center the rack. Now replace the pinion. Keep the wheel centered. Adjust at the engine so that the engine is centered. Simple 10-20 minute job.

Some Ride Guide systems had a cast link that bolted to the end of the steering cable. If this is missing, no adjustment will compensate.

 

[efishent]

Re: Mercury Ride-Guide Steering adjustment

Thanks Frank. I believe the adjustment is close at the motor, but not sure how to adjust that if not.

Here's a bit more detail to better clarify. When steering to port the cable end can go no farther into the tilt housing although there is plenty of room for the the steering rod link and drive to move. When steering to starboard the cable end shaft extends clear out and steering is able max out.

If it makes any difference the rack unit is a Rotary Ride Guide

Now to your suggestion, do I address this long bolt from the steering side or from the other side of the bulkhead. On the bulkhead side there is an exposed nut with a large washer at the center of the rotary housing. Do I remove that nut, or should I be addressing it from the steering wheel side?

Thanks for bearing with me.

-Gill

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Mercury Ride-Guide Steering adjustment

The only Ride Guides I have ever seen were rack and pinion but I guess Merc called all the stteering systems "Ride Guide."

Even though you have a rotary helm, the principal is the same. Let me make sure I understand your problem. With the steering wheel centered or nearly so, and with the engine centered, the wheel can only be turned slightly to port. It can be turned fully to starboard.

Since your cable screws into the tilt tube, there is only slight adjustment there and therefore where the cable enters the rotary helm is out of adjustment.

Some helms have internal stops and some do not. Some disassemble differently than others. Some cables have a stop clip on the internal helm end and some do not.

It is the position of the cable on the internal rotary drum inside the helm that must be adjusted.

IF your cable does not have a stop clip, detatch it from the rotary helm and pull it out. Then by trial and error, turn the wheel and reinsert the cable until both are at the correct position.

If the cable has a stop clip, then you must disassemble the helm to adjust it.
Without actually getting my hands on it, that's the best I can do.

 

[efishent]

Re: Mercury Ride-Guide Steering adjustment

Hi Frank,
Thanks again for the feedback. Yes I think you are understanding the issue.
The drive is centered but not the wheel its self as I get only 3/4 of a turn to port and nearly 2 to starboard. As I mentioned the the cable end is retracted into the the tilt tube by the time I make 3/4 turn to port. That is what stops the the drive from turning.

The steering link rod is normally in the aft hole. I moved it to gain a hair of turning but I'll move it back.

Here are images of the rotary rack parts . Unfortunately not a schematic. Can you help me make sense of it?
http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury_parts/1992/290.cfm
http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury_parts/1992/70.cfm

Much appreciate you taking the time.

Gill

 

[mydeckisbrokt]

Re: Mercury Ride-Guide Steering adjustment

Sorry to bring a post back from the dead, but I was hoping for some help in finding a few parts.

I have the same series motor in the above picture, and I was given a rack and pinion steering setup. The only parts I am missing are the nuts that go on each side of the tilt tube, and I am unable to find them.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

- Andy

 

[chrisMX-15]

Re: Mercury Ride-Guide Steering adjustment

HI mydeck

ifim not mistaken i had to get the sam nuts for my 87 70hs mercy i went to local boat repair shop and took one off a mid 70's 150 i think they may all be same size quite sure mine were. he didnt even charge for it took it off myself. or you can order on think they are about 7-8 bucks hpe this helps.