AQ290DP Steering Sealing Ring Install

[Jersey13]

Hi All,

I'm re-installing the steering yoke on a 290DP and was hoping someone could lend some knowledge. Does the thin lip of the sealing ring (part # 839195) go on top or bottom? I believe top, but not 100% sure. How does this seal actually stop water from getting past it? All i can think of is to apply some upward pressure on the yoke when installing through the transom shield in order to crush this seal a bit, then tighten down on the spindle arm bolt so it holds the yoke up tight. Is there some sort of trick I'm missing? Does the grease pumped through the zerk fitting on the arm, which then goes through the holes in the yoke shaft, help create a water tight seal? Or is that grease's purpose to just lube the upper and lower bushings?

Thanks in advance,
Jersey

 

[Scott Danforth]

thin lip presses on the helmet yoke

make sure to install new plastic bearings

use a stick to wedge the helmet yoke up (between the yoke and ground) and then clamp the tiller arm

 

[Jersey13]

Thanks Scott for the quick reply! So pressure up on the yoke, hold up tight, clamp down on the tiller arm bolt. Got it. New bushings are going in.

So, I guess I had the orientation of the seal wrong, go figure. I searched for as many pics as I could before asking and they all show the thicker part of the seals lip facing down, against the yoke.

 

[Scott Danforth]

both will work

 

[Jersey13]

Thanks. Do you know which way that seal came when it was new? Also, does the grease pumped through the zerk fitting on the tiller arm help create a water tight seal or is that grease's only purpose is to lube the upper and lower bushings?

 

[Scott Danforth]

No Idea how the seal came when new. its not in the drive manual I have and the little cartoon drawing in the parts breakdown isn't specific.

the grease does both functions

 

[Jersey13]

Thanks again Scott.

Jersey

 

[Scott Danforth]

Thanks again Scott.

Jersey

Looking at it, makes more sense to put the small lip against the housing and the thicker lip against the yoke