'97 Merc 115hp..stiff steering

[jdooner]

Hi..a friend is have trouble with the rack and pinion steering on his 2000 Bass Tracker. We've greased the 2 fittings on the steering, greased the shaft itself. That hasn't helped. Anyone have an idea? The boat and owner are 250 miles away, I'm heading back up there at 5a.m. Monday. Any help would be appreciated.
TIA
Jerry Dooner.

 

[footballhi]

Re: '97 Merc 115hp..stiff steering

disconnect the cable from motor ,see if it moves freely.!! if not the spray lub, on all moving parts. if it moves free then the cable is the problem for sure. pure some oil in cable housing to try and free it up ...you my need a new cable..

 

[Silvertip]

Re: '97 Merc 115hp..stiff steering

Disconnect the link rod at the engine and see if the engine pivots freely. If not, the engine is the problem. There are grease zerks on the engine. If it moves freely, the cable may be corroded inside the tilt tube or somewhere inside the cable.

 

[jdooner]

Re: '97 Merc 115hp..stiff steering

Should we just unscrew the fittings on the steering at the motor, and are there any pitfalls we should be aware of..anything spring loaded, or..?
Thanks, again..
jd

 

[footballhi]

Re: '97 Merc 115hp..stiff steering

WOW silvertip that sounded familiar!! and yes disconnect the steering at motor ,no tricks.. and see where the problem is..try turning the motor and the steering to see which one is hard to turn.!!!

 

[jdooner]

Re: '97 Merc 115hp..stiff steering

Thanks a lot guys..you're going to make us catch a bunch of fish at Lake Nacimient. for sure. Thank you again, Gentlement. Hopefully someday I can help out you fellas.
Jerry

Gotta hit the sack..4 comes early

 

[Silvertip]

Re: '97 Merc 115hp..stiff steering

Check the time -- we were typing at the same time.