frozen steering

[maxjr]

I am really a novice with boats, but my problem is after uncovering my boat from the winter my steering is frozen. 1973 johnson 50 hp and 1972 16' chrysler boat. I turn the wheel and it won't turn, i tried to manually move the motor but it is frozen. any help is appreciated. thank you

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: frozen steering

Disconnect the steering cable from the motor. Now you can determine if its the cable or the motor thats froze. There are several grease fittings on the motor.

 

[maxjr]

Re: frozen steering

disconnected motor, it is free will go from there. thanks

 

[5150abf]

Re: frozen steering

This sounds alittle kooky but it works.
I have taken a zip lock bag, poke a hole in the corner and put the end of the cable through then black tape it really good,support the cable from a rafter in the garage and put penetrating oil in the bag then let gravity do its thing.
Don't know if it will work on a frozen cable but it worked pretty good on mine that wasn't.
Got a drill to fit the one end and used the wind of the cable to pull the oil through.
Worth a try anyhow.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: frozen steering

never heard of that one, but guess it works.

 

[maxjr]

Re: frozen steering

Thanks for the suggestions. I kept moving the wheel back and forth and finally it freed itself.

thank you

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: frozen steering

i would remove the cable from the motor and clean the tilt tube, if not all it is going to seize again.