rusted tiller arms on '88 Yamaha 150's

[fastkenny]

Wrapping up my first season in my 'new-to-me' boat and have GREATLY benefited from the info provided on this board. I have twin '88 carb'd Yammy 150's and they've run perfectly all season.<br />My question is around the tiller arms of both motors: They are VERY rusted and appear to be VERY thin (>.25" at thinnest point). How can this be addressed? Is it possible to weld some add'l material to what is there? Or would I need to pull the power head to replace? Any thoughts on how you've seen this fixed elsewhere?<br />THANKS!

 

[fastkenny]

Re: rusted tiller arms on '88 Yamaha 150's

Has anyone encountered this before? Anyone seen a way to deal with it? Anyone ever seen one break off if not dealt with? Seems like a problem that would be as common as the rusted shift shaft on these motors.<br /><br />*NOTE - per the Yamaha online parts catalog, it's called a "Steering Bracket" but it's not clear from the diagram how hard it would be to replace with new<br /><br />THANKS FOR ANY AND ALL INFO!

 

[swist]

Re: rusted tiller arms on '88 Yamaha 150's

I have the same problem. It's on a 1993 225 on a bracket in salt water - the worst possible scenarion for corrosion of steering components (the tilt tube on my hydraulic steering corroded frozen....).<br /><br />Looking at the steering arm from the side, it is pretty thick so it will probably take a while to fail, but it would be nice to replace. <br /><br />However, it's $182 for my boat - and a look at the parts explosion on boats.net does make it look like half the engine has to come apart....

 

[bigbrownbuku]

Re: rusted tiller arms on '88 Yamaha 150's

the steering arm end is removable with 2 nuts located underneath. if it is the steering arm beyond this point that is less then 1/4" thick you are going to have trouble. it is this piece that the engine mounts too top and bottom. so yes the powerhead needs to be removed for this to occur.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: rusted tiller arms on '88 Yamaha 150's

hello<br /> with that much corrosion on the arm the odds are that the shift shafts are corroded as well. the odds of the power head coming off,unless its been off before, are very slim. the steering bracket replacement requires a complete dissasembly of the mid-section. you have to remove the lower unit,powerhead, upper and lower mounts and the lower yoke. tools required will be oxy/acetylene a large hammer a grinder and some curseing. you may find it cheaper to buy a used midsection.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[swist]

Re: rusted tiller arms on '88 Yamaha 150's

Wow, talk about complicated. This engine runs great and I would hate to have to junk it because I can't steer it! I wonder if there is a way to bolt on another piece of metal to extend its life a while, although with the bottom of the engine sitting right on top of it, access looks doubtful.<br /><br />So some of those stories about older Yamaha engines having corrosion problems are true....

 

[fastkenny]

Re: rusted tiller arms on '88 Yamaha 150's

Thanks for the info! (not really what I wanted to hear..)<br />It's too bad because these motors really run GREAT, and the shift shaft has been replaced in both (within the past 2 years), good compression, etc. The power heads both came off, as did both lower units (i talked to the wrench who did the work when I bought it, i can see the shiny new shafts and saw the receipt for the work)<br /><br />BenC: when you say 'steering arm end' which part are you referring to? It's tough to tell from the exploded diagram. I'm concerned about the arm from below the power head to where it connects to the steering linkage - i't about 8" or so long, 3/8 thick and tapers from about 2.5" wide at the motor to about 1.5" wide at the steering linkage

 

[fastkenny]

Re: rusted tiller arms on '88 Yamaha 150's

This is starting to look pretty bleak:<br /><br />Since replacing the rusted end of the steering arm requires tearing the whole engine apart, it looks cost prohibitive to do (looks like too big a job for me). Unless there is a way to weld or bold add'l material to the rusted arm, I guess I'll keep my fingers crossed and continue to run them while I save up for new motors <br /><br />It seems crazy that engines that run so well might need to be junked....

 

[swist]

Re: rusted tiller arms on '88 Yamaha 150's

Well fastkenny you and I are in the same boat. Let me know if you figure anything out. In my case the engine has never been apart and after 12 years in the salt, I agree with rodbolt - it's not likelt to come apart....

 

[rodbolt]

Re: rusted tiller arms on '88 Yamaha 150's

fast kenny<br /> if it was apart two years ago look into purchasing an entire mid section from one of the used suppliers. be aware that once the powerhead and lower are removed the real fun starts. the powerhead adaptor and upper and lower mounts have to be removed as well as the lower yoke. good luck and keep posting

 

[fastkenny]

Re: rusted tiller arms on '88 Yamaha 150's

rodbolt, thanks for the info. re: your post - if i was able to find a pair of decent mid sections, would i be able to avoid some of the 'fun' you describe? or would all that be replaced as part of the mid-section?<br /><br />swist - i'll let you know if i find any good solution, thanks

 

[rodbolt]

Re: rusted tiller arms on '88 Yamaha 150's

the midsections you buy normaly come with everything. a phone call will verify it. the last one I bought was 750 and was complete with trim and cowls.<br /> good luck and keep posting