Re: 1973 Merc 500 Steering
The OB will be hard to swivel for one or two reasons. Either the steering cable is hard to move or the OB itself is hard to move, or both. First disconnect the OB from the steering cable. If the OB is hard to turn, the problem is usually the upper bushing on the swivel shaft. There should be a grease fitting on the midsection. See if you can pump grease out the upper and lower bushings. if not, you will need to use some heat on the upper bushing to make the old grease come out. Refill with fresh grease.
if the cable is hard to turn, you need to find out why. Disconnect the large nut where the cable meets the tilt tube of the OB. Now if the steering wheel turns freely, the cable is binding in the tilt tube. Use some penetrating oil and heat to get it out of the tilt tube. Dont hammer the end or it will mushroom. After it is out, clean and gease it well and reinstall.
