Locked Steering...

[HammytheFisherman]

Hello all. Well, went to put my boat (bought used last week) into the water today and noticed that the steering was locked up. Got her home where we unscrewed the linkage bar and the motor was able to move freely by herself while unattached. After that, we unscrewed the aluminum nut on the starboard side of the tilt tube and with that nut loose and turning the steering wheel to the right, we were able to visibly see the cable moving in and out of the tube w/o restriction. Seeing this, we figured that the cable could use a little lube, but wasn't seized like originally thought. We then worked on pushing and pulling the steering rod back and forth from the motor and lubed that as well. At one point in time, we reconnected the linkage and the aluminum nut and the steering wheel was able to turn the motor full left and full right two times until she froze up again. Does this sound like the cable is okay, but the steering rod and tilt tube need to be cleaned out and relubed (i.e. with wire brush attachment)? What would be the best way of going about fixing the rod and tilt tube seize? Also, I have only been using a marine grease, so is there a better liquid for loosening everything up before greasing? I hope that I was descriptive enough. This is my first boat and I am still learning, but am hoping that this will be something I can fix versus having a shop do. Thanks again for the great forums.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Locked Steering...

You are on the right track. Keep exercizing the steering and cleaning the steering rod until it moves easily. The best grease to use on the steering rod is "Mercury special Lube 101", which is like grease with toothpaste consistancy.

 

[HammytheFisherman]

Re: Locked Steering...

Thanks Chris. I am going to go pick up some PB Blaster later today and shoot some of that onto the steering tube while working it back and forth. I guess it wouldn't hurt to spray that in the starboard side as well? You could see the rust build up in the tilt tube around the steering rod from the port side when you looked into it. Hopefully I get the chance to work on the tube today and have her free with a little bit of elbow grease. Can that Merc grease be found at just about any Marine store?