Best way to degrease the O/B steering tube?

[Expidia]

So the C/S at Teleflex steering systems suggested to me that once a year I should detach the end of the steering cable where it connects to the O/B and clean the old grease out of the tube. Then apply a good quality lithium grease and reassemble.

So how do I get the grease out of the tube once the cable is out. If I squirt solvent thru it some might remain and break down the new grease.

If I run a rag thru it fibers might get in there and impede the cable action.

It has a grease fitting in the middle of the tube but he said to clean it out anyway. I wanted to replace that brown messy grease anyway with lithium cause when you add grease it continually oozes out of both ends from use and gets on my trailable cover.

The grease tubes I have now which I used last year on other fittings and my hubs is the Mercury Quicksilver stuff for my grease gun and it's black and quite messy stuff.

So anyone know the best way to clean the tube out and maybe a brand of grease. Does Walmart carry lithium marine grease. I know West Marine will charge double.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Best way to degrease the O/B steering tube?

best way is to remove the cable from tilt tube, clean and regrease.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Best way to degrease the O/B steering tube?

So how do I get the grease out of the tube once the cable is out. If I squirt solvent thru it some might remain and break down the new grease.

If I run a rag thru it fibers might get in there and impede the cable action.

Ayuh,... You're Over-thinking it....

It's just a straight Tube...
Flush it with solvent if necessary,+ Wipe it clean...
Or,...
Just wipe it Clean,+ Regrease...

You'r Merc grease will work just Fine...
Merc. 2-4-C would probably be the Best possible grease for the job....

 

[Expidia]

Re: Best way to degrease the O/B steering tube?

Ayuh,... You're Over-thinking it....

It's just a straight Tube...
Flush it with solvent if necessary,+ Wipe it clean...
Or,...
Just wipe it Clean,+ Regrease...

You'r Merc grease will work just Fine...
Merc. 2-4-C would probably be the Best possible grease for the job....

I know the grease would work because that's what Merc uses. but I don't want the brown or black to get on my light grey cover. Do they make a lithium marine grade grease?

Thx

 

[rtpassini]

Re: Best way to degrease the O/B steering tube?

walmart carries some marine grease, but im not sure what kind or how good it is.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Best way to degrease the O/B steering tube?

Well, Teleflex is consistent because that's what their video says to use:

http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?sw...leflex How-to: Maintenance of a Mechanical St

I personally like the Mercury 2-4-C also and use it for steering cable ram ends. The lithium was a news flash for me when I saw the video. My understanding is that the grease fitting on the tilt tube only provides lube to the outside of the tilt tube and not to the steering cable that is inside the tilt tube. Good luck!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Best way to degrease the O/B steering tube?

Go to Cabela's. Bass Pro, or any good gun shop and buy a shotgun cleaning kit. Install the brush on the cleaning rod and run that through the tube a few times to clean it up. Clean the brush with solvent. Remove the brush and attach the cleaning swab tip. Insert the swab in the tip and run it through the tilt tube. Old rags cut to the appropriate size can be used as swabs. When clean, lube the tube again, insert the cable and connect the steering link. 15 - 20 minutes and you are done.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Best way to degrease the O/B steering tube?

Well, Teleflex is consistent because that's what their video says to use:

http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?sw...leflex How-to: Maintenance of a Mechanical St

I personally like the Mercury 2-4-C also and use it for steering cable ram ends. The lithium was a news flash for me when I saw the video. My understanding is that the grease fitting on the tilt tube only provides lube to the outside of the tilt tube and not to the steering cable that is inside the tilt tube. Good luck!

That was great just what I was looking for. Thx

 

[Expidia]

Re: Best way to degrease the O/B steering tube?

Go to Cabela's. Bass Pro, or any good gun shop and buy a shotgun cleaning kit. Install the brush on the cleaning rod and run that through the tube a few times to clean it up. Clean the brush with solvent. Remove the brush and attach the cleaning swab tip. Insert the swab in the tip and run it through the tilt tube. Old rags cut to the appropriate size can be used as swabs. When clean, lube the tube again, insert the cable and connect the steering link. 15 - 20 minutes and you are done.

Thx silvertip. Actually, I attempted it today. Problem was my boat's small and that cable is stiff so I could not pull it out all the way. I cleaned up what I could and re greased all with the quicksilver grease. I thought it was black but it was a light brown.

Tash sent me a PM on this idea and I just bought one cause the rod always has grease on it an it gets on my cover. This will resolve that issue. Great idea!

http://www.iboats.com/Steering_Cable...-view_id.39716