Drill out corroded tilt tube for baystar install??

[huffduf41]

Hey guys-

The tilt tube on my 1998 Merc 90 corroded which caused me to upgrade to the baystar hydraulic steering. The starboard side of the tilt tube is in great shape but the port side is really pitted/swollen to the point that I'm unable to insert the port side shaft for the baystar kit. I purchased a wire brush and ran that through to no avail.

Can I drill out the port side of the tube or should I buy a new tube? I think the only purpose it serves for the baystar kit is to stabilize the hydraulic cylinder.

Thanks!!!!

 

[GA_Boater]

Buy a new tilt tube. It's the only thing holding the motor on via the clamp bracket.

 

[Scott Danforth]

What he said. Spend the $10 on eBay for a used tilt tube or $30 for a new tilt tube

 

[huffduf41]

Checked eBay and I think I might have the wrong part #. I searched for 826125a1....is there a alternate part #? Thanks again!

 

[GA_Boater]

What is your serial number?

 

[huffduf41]

0G722004

Thanks!!!!

 

[GA_Boater]

Quicksilver 826125A 1 is the kit, It includes the tube and all hardware. Expand your search, click the link below.

http://http://lmgtfy.com/?q=quicksilver++826125A+1

 

[huffduf41]

Replacement tilt tube showed up this afternoon ($35 and came off a saltwater motor so stainless in great condition). Any chance you guys can critique my plan for swapping tubes?

My plan:

Trim motor down, throw a chunk of 2" x 8" flat under skeg, use trailer jack to jack up front of trailer and take weight of outboard off transom, slide old tube out, insert new tube.

Thanks again!!!!!!!!

 

[GA_Boater]

Are you supporting the motor by the top in some way? Rusty tilt tubes don't usually "slide" out unless you are extremely lucky.

 

[huffduf41]

I'm one of the lucky ones then, the tube only corroded on the inside. I do have a slight change to my plan though....

I found a 1" dia piece of hard plastic that is 12" long. I'm going to use it to drive out my old tube then use my new tube to drive out the plastic rod. This will allow the new tube to have the correct port/starboard alignment (it's not symmetrical, starboard has more threads).

 

[Scott Danforth]

let us know how lucky you are at end of the day.