115 steering troubles

[umfangler]

The steering cable on my 115 merc seemed like it was seized so I managed to get it loose from the motor and the cable isnt seized at all. I thoroughly cleaned the metal rod and then the tube it goes thru. I even used a wire brush on a drill to really clean it out. Hoping all was now well I lubed the rod and the tube and tried to put the rod back in. It went in fairly easily till it got most of the way in and then it got really tight. I got it in and tightened the bolt and again the steering wheel wouldnt turn. Took apart again and checked the rod to see if it was bent and its straight. I didnt have anything to check the inside of the tube with but I guess its tweeked. I was thinking that if I can find the right size drill bit I could carefully ream out the hole so the rod will go thru or replace the tube but unsure whats involved. Any recommendations? And if I should decide to replace the tube what's the part called? Thanks -Brian-

 

[andy6374]

Re: 115 steering troubles

Let me get this straight. So with the engine disconneted from the steering arm, you can turn the steering wheel back and forth with ease. <br /><br />However, when you hook it back up to the engine and turn the wheel it doesn't budge.<br /><br />If this is the case, I had a similar problem before. It turned out that the pivot on which the engine itself rotates on was not lubed and corroded. There is an grease fitting just below it, load it up. You will problem notice that all the grease comes out the bottom and none out the top. This is because the top is full of corrosion. I had to spray the pivot with tons of PB blaster and actually pry it up with a bar (literally lift the engine off the pivot abit), spary more PB blaster in there and manually put grease in there. And after you keep working it a while it will come back to life.<br /><br />If this wasn't the case, I hope you enjoyed the novel.<br /><br />-andy

 

[umfangler]

Re: 115 steering troubles

Do you mean the pivot that lets it turn left/right or up and down? If you mean the tube thing it is now clean as a pin and it was lubed before I reinstalled the cable. After the rod on the end of the cable goes in about 2/3 of the way it starts to bind and by the time I suffer it all the way in its so tight in the tube it wont move when turning the wheel even if I have someone try to help it by grabbing the motor and trying to turn it too.

 

[umfangler]

Re: 115 steering troubles

If you meant the motor turning back and forth I doubt its that...when the rod that connects it to the steering is disconnected the motor turns easily.

 

[andy6374]

Re: 115 steering troubles

I see..

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 115 steering troubles

Umfangler, You didn't post the year of your motor, but the tilt tube is replaceable. You may want to hunt up one from a junk motor. If you drill it, it may be too weak.

 

[umfangler]

Re: 115 steering troubles

This may sound odd but I havent been able to accurately determine the year. The serial number on the mounting bracket doesnt match with the rest of the motor and I suspect someone had replaced it. It says Kiekhaefer 1150, on the sides it says 115hp and on the back it says Direct Charge. Someone said they believed it was an early 70's model...Hopefully the tube is the same on all those size/vintage motors...I was thinking of trying the drilling idea and see how it plays out...I dont plan on taking off too much meat if I can avoid it. I was hoping Clams would see this as he seems to always have the right answer. -Brian-

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 115 steering troubles

Umfangler, I am not an expert on it, but it is likely an early '70s motor. Ther is a lot of interchangability on the 4 and 6 cylinder motors of that vintage.<br /><br />Since the tilt tube is simply a piece of steel pipe, why not measure its OD and ID as well as length, and if it matches any of the pipe at the plumbing shop, have a piece of the correct length cut and threaded.