Greasing the steering cable

[Jeronimus]

Hello forum members,

I'm trying to figure out how to grease the cable of my steering.
This because steering is getting so heavy that I need to turn the wheel using both hands or it won't budge...
I have a mercury 50hp from around 1978.
It's controled by a single cable steering system from mercury (can't read the exact imprint on the tube).
I have taken the whole thing apart and found the following:
Steering wheel end - stiff rod comes out of semi flexible tube.
Engine-side end - Stiff tube (with eyehole to fix to engine) moves over a second stiff tube containing the cable. This all is then held in place by the swivvel tube (sorry, don't know the right wording).
On neither end I can get any grease in.
I am a bit of e newbe but what am I missing here?

Maybe some kind of bolt needs to be insalled at the engine side with a grease inlet?

Many thanks for your help.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Greasing the steering cable

I am a bit of e newbe but what am I missing here?

Ayuh,... Steering cables are Non-servicable parts that are Replaced, Not greased..

 

[j_martin]

Re: Greasing the steering cable

Grease in the cable will make it act just like you describe. They are not really sealed, and are lubed with a light oil. Teleflex says such cables that have had grease forced into them are damaged and have to be replaced.

I have successfully cleaned and relubricated steering cables. Here are 98 posts on the topic, including several "luber" designs.

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forum...d.php?t=188864

Before you get carried away, inspect the cable. If the jacket has a bulge in it, or is cracked anywhere, just discard the cable and replace it. If it appears sound, it's a candidate for salvage.

Solvent that worked for me = SeaFoam
Lubricant = 5W30 synthetic motor oil

hope it helps
John

 

[Jeronimus]

Re: Greasing the steering cable

Many thanks for your info.
I'll take the lot apart again and inspect it.
Still wondering on how I'll get the inner cable out (was not able to follow the link you posted).
If al fails I need to find out which type of cable is a good replacement.
Can't find anything on mercury rack and pinion steering units.

For now again many thanks.

 

[Jeronimus]

Re: Greasing the steering cable

It's quite late but I'd like to follow up on the advise i got here and how I fixed it.
I took the system apart and found the cable was cracked as 'admiral' martin pointed out so I discarded it.
As the replacements was not available anymore I just bought a whole new teleflex rotary stering system.

Never before was steering my boat this light and comfy.
Many thanx for your help and this thread may be closed.

 

[Maxz695]

Re: Greasing the steering cable

disconnect the steering cable from the steering arm and try to swing the engine if it is easy then replace the cable if it is hard to turn then the swing arm has greese buildup. a remedy for this is to remove all gas lines away from the engine empty or remove the carbs soak down the cowel area and torch the outter swing arm casing both hi and low working the engine back and forth to loosen crud in there. BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO OVERHEAT IT YOU CAN MELT THE MOUNTS!!!!!!! KEEP A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AT HAND. You may have to do this proceedure several times before the hardened gresese will somewhat disolve. A replacement of the swing arm would be suggested as this will more than likely reoccure next year