johnson motor/steering ceased

[hutche]

dont know if this is the right place for this post but ive got a steering problem which involves a telflex non hydraulic which due to inactivity has ceased up ive unbolted from motor witch moves freely and undone the aluminum nut and have some movement (about 1-2 inches) but when re-connected still doesnt move.any theories?thanks

 

[Haffiman]

Re: johnson motor/steering ceased

It is simply to completely remove the cable and replace it.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: johnson motor/steering ceased

Hutche, Have you unbolted teh big nut on the cable on the starboard side of the tilt tube? If so, does the cable move in and out? if so, the steering cable rod end is likely corroded to the tilt tube. If you can rock it front to back with a pipe wrench, you can work it loose. Use some penetrating oil and rock it until you can wipe off some crud. Then reoil and rock it some more. Continue until it is nice and loose and regrease with marine grease. Do not hammer the end of the steering rod, as it will mushroom and you will have real trouble,

 

[wmconway]

Re: johnson motor/steering ceased

You have to remove the steering cable from the steering tube. Don't hit it with a hammer or, like the man said, it will mushroom. You may need to use heat and a long drift punch to drive it out. When you get it out, straighten out the cable and use plenty of WD-40 to loosen it up. Then hit it with grease and check that it will move freely. Definitely clean the steering tube and the end of the cable that you removed from the motor.

 

[hutche]

Re: johnson motor/steering ceased

gone for the sensible solution and paid the cash for a new steering set including bezel,anything i should know about putting in a new system,looks pretty easy think it will be harder getting old one out than new one in.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: johnson motor/steering ceased

The only sensible thing to do. Messing with a frozen steering is mainly a waste of time. Clean out the engine tilt-tube, use a stiff bottle brush and some engine decreaser to get out old grease.
Use properly marine waterproof grease on new cable before installing it and replace the 'scraper nut' on port side to keep water from entering again.

 

[hutche]

Re: johnson motor/steering ceased

as predicted needed gear puller just to get steering wheel off,main problem is steering cable is stuck in tilt tube wont budge and dont have room too persuade it with a hammer,thinking of cutting off cable end at motor and somehow using centre punch or something to knock it through,any thoughts?thanks for the help people

 

[Haffiman]

Re: johnson motor/steering ceased

Sometimes it helps heating up the tilt tube in front, be careful not to melt the nylon bushings!
If cutting it, cut at the cable entry side and you may be able to 'knock' on the inner rod, If cutting on the exit side, you will be left with a very thin tube (the outer) that is difficult to get out.

 

[hutche]

Re: johnson motor/steering ceased

ok so after reading numerous remedies ive gone and attacked the steering with a air hammer to no avail,do the tilt tube nuts need to be loosened?ive just about given up and will have to call in the proffesionals,thanks for the advice

 

[Haffiman]

Re: johnson motor/steering ceased

No need to loosen the nut.
You may however have to remove the engine from the transom enough to get a proper working space.