almost frozen steering column - 1980 40hp merc

[Dershman]

any tricks to loosening a neglected steering column? I've loaded it with grease and gotten very little release. (it is not the cable)<br />thanks, again<br />new to power

 

[wikelam]

Re: almost frozen steering column - 1980 40hp merc

I loaded mine up with grease and it worked fine after that.

 

[shucks]

Re: almost frozen steering column - 1980 40hp merc

Try PB Blaster, frees anything up. Shucks.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: almost frozen steering column - 1980 40hp merc

I had the same prob. Get the pin as far out as you can and spray with wd40 and retract by turning the wheel.then turn the other way until the pin is out again and clean it off with paper towel.The crap on the towel is what is making it tough to turn.I repeated these steps for about a half an hour and the crap kept coming out.The longer I did it the easier the steering got.When you get it to move as easy as you want it to ,then give it grease. Charlie

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: almost frozen steering column - 1980 40hp merc

By the way Schucks ,what is pb blaster and where is it sold???? Charlie

 

[shucks]

Re: almost frozen steering column - 1980 40hp merc

Crazy Charlie, PB Blaster is the finest penetrating oil sold. I restore old John Deere tractors. There is a lot of parts to break loose while restoring an old tractor. This product will loosen even the most rusted parts. It comes in a 16 OZ. aerosol can and it has a foamy consistency at first then turns to liquid. You should be able to find it at an auto parts store or Wal-Mart may have it. MSC has it for sure maybe Grainger as well. If you use penetrating oil now, throw it out and get a couple of cans of Blaster you won't be dissapointed. Shucks.

 

[Dershman]

Re: almost frozen steering column - 1980 40hp merc

It's fixed! A friend put a torch to the upper part of the column and injected grease while it was hot ABOVE the grease port. THe grease followed the heat up into the column and pushed out all the crud.