85 Force steering will not turn

[1954jwt]

I have owned this 88 Bayliner for about 9 months now. I have had a very pleasureable season fishing and playing with the family. Steering has always been stiff, however always worked. Last used boat at the end of October. Went out to winterize a few days ago and tried to turn the steering wheel to straighten the motor and it would not move at all. I had taken out the battery and did not know if that had anything to do with it? Not sure where to start... Any suggestions would be appriciated. Thanks in advance. 1988 Bayliner Capri 17.5 foot with 85 HP Force.

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: 85 Force steering will not turn

Sounds to me like it's time for a new steering cable. They do wear out and need replacing every few years. If yours is the original from '88, it's overdue IMO.<br /><br />Try disconnecting the motor from the cable and see if the motoer turns by hand easily. At the samr time, you can also try and turn the wheel. If the wheel is stiff, the cable is most likely the culprit.<br /><br />Changing the cable is fairly easy and not all that expensive. If it is a standard type cable, should be about 100-150 bucks for parts I'm guessing.

 

[1954jwt]

Re: 85 Force steering will not turn

Sangerwaker, Thanks for the suggestion. I will give this a try this weekend.

 

[radsrh]

Re: 85 Force steering will not turn

It sounds to me like you just need to cleen out the steering tube. Disconnect the cable from the motor, if the motor turns feely try to turn the wheel. If both turn when the are apart take the other nut off of the tube on the motor and clean out the old greese. Put new greese in the tube and on the cable end and turn the wheel with the nut on, pull it back apart and add some more greese and repeat. When all works well tighten it back up, you should do this every 6 mo or so to keep it working well.