ez steer connector

[mechanic136]

I have an EZ Steer bar with the male quick connectors on each end.Does anyone know what the female quick connect fitting number is.I am assuming it is an air fitting.Also, any ideas on how to connect to my pre alpha mercruiser leg. It has the lifting eye one the top which might be useful.
Thanks.

 

[Boatist]

Re: ez steer connector

Welcom to the board.

I would call a dealer of the product you need in your case I think it would be Mercrusier dealer. You would also need the other end for your kicker.

Lots of places carry EZ Steer but the key is finding the right part number then use the internet to search for the part number.

The link below has a lot of the part numbers. There not cheap but hold up very well even in salt water.

Iboats has some parts.


http://www.usdistributinginc.com/pdfs/Steering.pdf

 

[mechanic136]

Re: ez steer connector

Thanks for that info. I found some brass quick air fittings at my local auto parts store that fit the ends of the EZ steer rod. I made a bracket that bolts to my Mercruiser drive. I used metal strapping and welded a female 1/4"NPT to it for the quick connect air fitting. It is only steel so I may make another out of stainless later as the salt water here is hard on things.
I attached pictures if anyone is interested.

 

[ralphl]

Re: ez steer connector

I see you put the sliding part of the rod near the main instead of the kicker. Thought it was the other way around. Does it matter??

 

[mechanic136]

Re: ez steer connector

I have no idea. I did not pay attention when I connected it. What would be the difference? I also wonder why they call these self adjusting as if the tension is too great when turning, the rod ratchets apart but cannot return to its previous position. I had to tighten my tension for it to turn my kicker.

 

[Boatist]

Re: ez steer connector

I always put the larger tube on the I/O side and Smaller inside tube on the kicker side but I do not think it really matters.

The self adjusting part I only used for setup so you make sure you can turn your outdrive fully in both directions. With the lock screw loose then after you get adjusted like you want tighten it all the way down so it can not pull apart.

I always adjust mine so with the main motor straight the kicker is one notch to the side so when pushing from the kicker motor the boat still goes straight ahead and stright back.

You kicker should not cause the rod to slip. Make sure the fiction adjustment on the kicker is all the way loose and the shafts have plenty of marine Grease.

Last make sure you alway remove and put away at the end of the day. Other wise someone make thank they need it more than you do.

I have a good friend who made his own but by the time he had one made that would not rust in salt water he had spent almost as much as if he bought the complete unit. His is not adjustable and works great but he says next time he will just buy the unit.

 

[Boatist]

Re: ez steer connector

I always put the larger tube on the I/O side and Smaller inside tube on the kicker side but I do not think it really matters.

The self adjusting part I only used for setup so you make sure you can turn your outdrive fully in both directions. With the lock screw loose then after you get adjusted like you want tighten it all the way down so it cannot pull apart.

I always adjust mine so with the main motor straight the kicker is one notch to the side so when pushing from the kicker motor the boat still goes straight ahead and straight back.

You kicker should not cause the rod to slip. Make sure the fiction adjustment on the kicker is all the way loose and the shafts have plenty of marine Grease.

Last make sure you always remove and put away at the end of the day. Other wise someone may thank they need it more than you do.

I have a good friend who made his own but by the time he had one made that would not rust in salt water he had spent almost as much as if he bought the complete unit. His is not adjustable and works great but he says next time he will just buy the unit.

 

[ralphl]

Re: ez steer connector

According to the instructions they should NOT be tightened down.By allowing them to slip they somehow self adjust. I will try to get the info from the Marine tech site and post it but I'm not real good at that. I just installed a set, havent tried it out yet. Confusing instructions

 

[ralphl]

Re: ez steer connector

They also need to slide as you tilt trim or raise either outboard