How to lube your steering shaft?

[noworries79]

Hello all, I am having a tough time with my 1993 Evinrude 48 SPL. I can't get my steering cable nut off of the shaft area so I can clean/lube it. My steering has been very tight lately and all I have been able to do so far is turn the wheel, clean as much of the shaft as I can, then turn the wheel again and repeat. This has helped, but I know there is a better way.

Also what kind of lube do I use for the 2 grease fittings? I have the blue marine grease for the shaft, but what are these for? Thank you in advance.

 

[DJ]

Re: How to lube your steering shaft?

I doubt the problem is actually at the engine. Steering cables do go bad.

An easy way to check is to unbolt the tilt arm (Stainless slightly S shaped arm from cable to engine arm) from the engine and see if the engine rotates freely. I'll bet it does. That points to the steering cable.

The two grease fittings (forward facing) you see have nothing to do with steering, They are for the "tilting" mechanism. There is a seperate single grease zerk, on the engine steering pivot, below the powerhead.

That grease is OK.

 

[noworries79]

Re: How to lube your steering shaft?

Thanks DJ, The steering cable was replaced about 2 years ago. This is why I am determined to get the arm out for a good cleaning and lubing. The arm has been detached a few days ago, and the engine does move freely. I am thinking that there is so much gunk inside where the steering arm moves left and right that it may be preventing easy movement to the right.