Hard to steer under way

[Brien S]

Searched all over the place for an answer to no avail, so here I am.
Boat is a 20ft pontoon with a 115hp mercury. That's how dad bought it.
At trolling speed steering is pretty good, but when you get up about 3000 rpm under way, the steering is super stiff in both directions. It's almost like it getting in a bind.
I haven't pulled the cable yet to check for grease. Right now it's in a slip at a marina 1 hour away, so just jogging up there is not quick. Just want to get several ideas from you folks before I go up there. New to outboards, so be easy on me. Also, where are the zerk fittings to grease the engine pivot, and what grease do you folks use ?

 

[Sea Rider]

Will be ideal to disconnect the steering cable from the motor and check how easy the steering system turns around. Also turn the motor by hand and check same. Probably both are already hardened over the years of usage ? Can lube with a grease intended for water use.

Happy Boating

 

[Chris1956]

Old motor? Check for swivel shaft play. Look especially where the swivel shaft connects to the lower yoke motor mount.

If the motor can move toward the transom under power, the swivel shaft will be distorted causing binding in the triple clamp.