59 Evinrude 18hp steers too easily.

[pman7]

It seems too stiff is the common problem on these but mine pivots too easily. The motor even twists from the torque of the starting motor.

I've got the simple steering arm system.


I can't find a nut or anything to tighten. I've got the exploded parts list and I can't figure it out from the pictures either.

Can anyone tell me what to look for? Maybe the actual name of the item from a parts list?


edit: after reading some more old threads on steering I noticed someone refering to "co-pilot". My parts list has a co-pilot spring that is around a screw. Would this possibly be the screw that tightens the steering?

 

[F_R]

Re: 59 Evinrude 18hp steers too easily.

Yes, that's it. Hunker down and look just above the transom, between the stern brackets. It's in there.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 59 Evinrude 18hp steers too easily.

Yep, that's your friendly co-pilot screw... tighten it up and all will be good

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 59 Evinrude 18hp steers too easily.

FR & Samo beat me too it but I will add that it is most likely a panhead, straight slot machine screw, which turns into the vertical tube portion of the transom bracket. What iit does is to press up against and tighten a part called the Co-Pilot plate spacer, which is located inside of that vertical tube. That, in turn, presses against the steering bracket pilot shaft.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 59 Evinrude 18hp steers too easily.

ok, Mr. Engineer, do you know the torque ratings on the screw and the hardness of it?