Evinrude 40 HP outboard, steering linkage seized...any advice

[Truefire]

Hey guys, my boat's steering linkage on a 40hp Evinrude outboard is seized. I cannot for the life of me get the linkage to move.. It has always moved smoothly without effort and created effortless steering while on the water. I had recently reinstalled my center console and all after some work on the boat itself. Since then have checked all elements regarding the steering wheel and such, not the issue. The issue lies in the linkage through the tilt portion of the motor bracket.

I have disconnected the control arm at the motor to "rule out' the motor itself possibly being seized. Its not the motor, it moves fine, so it has to be contained within the linkage that goes through the motor bracket as seen in the pictures.

Any suggestions or advise as to how I could loosen this seizure?

Chris

It could possibly be damaged in this region perhaps from this past summer while it was up on blocks, Hurricane Irene came through Eastern North Carolina, blowing oaks, pines and buildings down...you guessed it the dang boat was blown off of a very sturdy structure while it was off the trailer for repairs.

I was inside when I heard the commotion, further investigation revealed my boat had been taken off the block formation. The bow of the boat was sitting on the ground and the motor was supporting in part along with the blocks that did not fall, the rear of the boat. The hull is old school fiberglass construction so it weighs quite a bit.

I inspected the motor thoroughly, the lower unit and the prop....all appeared to be in good condition, not damaged. Well here we are about 6 months later, the boat is back on the trailer, all other work is complete and now i discover this facet.

It is now my thoughts that perhaps that linkage is indeed bent slightly, which is unnoticeable at this time. Of course, if that is the issue, i need to support the motor, remove the cable and purchase a new one. Dilemma number 2: where could I find another steering cable for this type of setup: I can provide more details on the boat and motor model/year later on, to assist in your help with this question.

Thanks, Chris

 

[pontoon781]

Re: Evinrude 40 HP outboard, steering linkage seized...any advice

Mine went bad almost overnight. The cable seizes up after a while. I found the cable replacement for mine,but the entire unit was only like 30$ more. I think its best to replace the whole thing. Safety first.

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Evinrude 40 HP outboard, steering linkage seized...any advice

Loosen the nut on the starboard side, apply heat to the tilt tube and hit the cable end with a heavy hammer using wood so as not to mushroom the cable end. Use a brass or mild steel drift to finish removing the cable end. Dried up grease is most likely causing your problem. Has to be cleaned out and regreased. Good luck.

 

[Truefire]

Re: Evinrude 40 HP outboard, steering linkage seized...any advice

Thanks guys, i have attempted to dislodge the seizure with a heavy hammer already, to no avail. need to put a little heat to that baby i suppose. As far as replacing the cable is concerned, are you able to remove an internal cable from the black outer sheathing and slide a new one into place or are these cables all intact (one piece).

If the latter is the case, i am in for a J>O>B....for that baby takes two sharp 90s - one leaving the motor area and of course coming up through a port hole under the center console. Is rigid as that cable is, i could not even imagine having to coerce it into place if it is indeed a one piece deal....I would almost rather resort to boat oars than deal with that.

I wish I was aware of this issue why i still had a large portion of the deck removed, if the complete cable would have to be removed this would have made life so much sweeter. She's all intact and glassed over now however...a little too late.

chris

 

[beardeddone]

Re: Evinrude 40 HP outboard, steering linkage seized...any advice

Loosen the nut on the starboard side, apply heat to the tilt tube and hit the cable end with a heavy hammer using wood so as not to mushroom the cable end. Use a brass or mild steel drift to finish removing the cable end. Dried up grease is most likely causing your problem. Has to be cleaned out and regreased. Good luck.

+1 on this procedure, that is how I got mine off when I removed my motor, there was a lot of crud in the starboard side nut end in the cable, luckily I didn't need any heat, if necessary use a bigger hammer..

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Evinrude 40 HP outboard, steering linkage seized...any advice

In your picture that nut on starboard side does not look like its loosened; if not , the cable ram will not come out. Be careful not to mushroom the ram end or it will never come out of the tilt tube. The cable innards may be frozen(rusted) and if so the entire cable will have to be replaced; not just the inner part. In any event you can't replace the cable until you get the ram out of the tilt tube. Good luck

 

[beardeddone]

Re: Evinrude 40 HP outboard, steering linkage seized...any advice

Good catch Will and he may have to remove his motor as well to the point of getting that cable out with the bend he already has it'll never come out as it is even with the nut loose..

 

[nwcove]

Re: Evinrude 40 HP outboard, steering linkage seized...any advice

jmo....but that 90 deg bend in such a short distance could be the whole problem?

 

[Truefire]

Re: Evinrude 40 HP outboard, steering linkage seized...any advice

jmo....but that 90 deg bend in such a short distance could be the whole problem?

Sorry guys allow me clarify. I am not speaking of that bend shown in the photo. Rather, was making reference to the deck holes in the decking whereby the cable enters and exits the cavity from underneath the decking. Those two bends associated with the entry and exit of the cavity under the decking, would "NO DOUBT" prevent me from removing this entire cable from motor to steering console.

I do not foresee any feasible way to remove and replace the entire cable should I purchase a replacement. That was the reason I asked earlier if the inner cable would slide out of this black outer sheathing. I have not had a chance to try it yet but if that is the case then, "Yes the replacement may be possible, for I could slide another new one right inside the old outer sheathing."

As far as the 90 there in the photo is concerned, yes it is rigid in this location and of course jammed up against the boat thus gonna prevent me from removing the cable out of the motor mount. I am going to hold the motor with a sturdy overhead winch system to allow me to remove that section.

I just do not think I could possibly remove the entire cable however without destroying the newly purchased replacement or either losing my sanity. I have dealt with 500 MCM electrical wire that was easier to work with than this baby is....and it was in the dead of winter. 'don't remind me of those days again.' Reason i am familiar with its overall rigidity, is when I had the deck open, i had to maneuver the cable a touch to execute some work...Let us just say it fought back.

The 90 degree bend shown in the photo has always been in this same position and has never given any problems in over 8 years. Prior to this seizure i could maneuver my steering wheel with two fingers, literally, on or off the water. So the present bend as seen in the picture is not the issue.

thanks for your help so much guys, ...my thoughts with leaving that nut secure was that perhaps the hammer strikes would jar the inner cable loose if the outer was held in place. Thus the reasoning for not loosening, hanks for your help. It must be made differently than clutch and speedometer cables are that I have worked with in the past, composed of an inner and outer raceway. i'll loosen this nut sometime soon, whenever life slows down a bit and see if I cannot get this cable out of that motor mount

thanks, Chris