How do I lube the steering , 280 sterndrive

[dirtymike]

I have a 280pt sterndrive with non power steering. It is very hard to turn the wheel left or right, and I know it is not a cable or helm problem (already replaced) It was tough to move the drive left or right when the steering cable wasn't hooked up. Other than putting grease on the end of the steering cable where it is solid, is there anywhere else that could be lubed to make the steering easier?
Also, what kind of grease should I use?

 

[billbayliner]

Re: How do I lube the steering , 280 sterndrive

and I know it is not a cable or helm problem (already replaced) It was tough to move the drive left or right when the steering cable wasn't hooked up.

Since you have eliminated the cable and helm unit, it's probably going to be in the steering fork bushings.
When the aluminum surrounding the two bushings swells from corrosion, the bushings become squeezed down onto the shaft of the steering fork. This can generate quite a bit of pressure. Enough to cause hard steering issues. No amount of grease will help. In fact I would be surprised if any grease could be pumped into them.
The only fix that I know of is to remove the fork, clean the bushing bores, and install new bushings and reinstall the steering fork.
Punch the spindle arm and fork before removing so that it's indexed for when going back together.
One spline off makes a big difference stop/to/stop. Keep water from this area in the future.

 

[SteveMcD]

Re: How do I lube the steering , 280 sterndrive

that happened to mine. I couldn't budge it with two crowbars and every cuss word I knew. Nothing less than a hydraulic press was going to get it out. I was taking my transom shield off anyway. I dropped it off at my local marine shoppe, and they call later and tell me it was too corroded to reuse. After looking at it, I couldn't disagree. It had some serious pitting. They had a used one for $200. A machine shop would have charged the same to weld in filler and machine it. It sounds a lot like that is what you are looking at. I was taking my transom shield off anyway. My guess is you don't have that luxury. That would be the worst case scenario. However there is no doubt we are going to have radically improved handling when done. I hope yours is more cooperative. Good luck.

 

[dirtymike]

Re: How do I lube the steering , 280 sterndrive

well crap that doesn't sound fun. After playing with it a bit today and adding some grease to certain areas and it got a little better, but i still can't turn the wheel without both hands. how big of a job is this going to be, and will i be able to pull it off with little experience and basic tools?

 

[Don S]

Re: How do I lube the steering , 280 sterndrive

The job is a real pain.
Don't even think about trying to hammer the steering fork out from the inside. You flare it out, you never get it apart.
Melting the plastic bushings is usually the fastest way to get them out. I normally pull the engine first just to get access and get the gas and fuel system out of the way. Then you have the steering arm that is corroded on. If this is a salt water boat, expect nothing to be easy.

 

[billbayliner]

Re: How do I lube the steering , 280 sterndrive

Don't even think about trying to hammer the steering fork out from the inside. You flare it out, you never get it apart.
Melting the plastic bushings is usually the fastest way to get them out.

Ditto Don on that! You do not want to flare the shaft out. Heat on the bushings may work also.
It's the corrosion that builds up between the bushings and the aluminum bosses. It swells up like crystals.
Also, several wooden wedges at the exterior between the fork and transom shield will provide some downward force and will not tear the paint up as bad.