Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990 88sp

[rothfm]

Hi All...I've read everything I can find on sticky/stuck swivel brackets...There isnt a ton, and some seem misleading. Thanks in advance for any real-life practical advice. A bit long winded here, because there seems to be folks swapping terminology around and it can be confusing.

First of all its a 1990 Evenrude 88SPL. It was mounted on a small CMC bracket with TNT. This was probably because the factory (yes factory on the 88spl) TNT wasnt working and the Tilt Tube seems frozen. So I guess the PO bagged that stuff and put it on a bracket. The tube itself passes the steering cable fine. The cable moves thru it like butter, But the motor wont tilt on it. I'll be working on that one......

MY BIG ISSUE OF CONCERN IS THE SWIVEL BRACKET IS VERY VERY STIFF. I worked it over 3 days with all type of penetrating oil and back/forth action. I can eventually get it to move with alot of resistance, but after sitting again--goes back to very very stiff.

Since its now off the boat, in the down position, I cant see behind the bracket, between the TNT stuff and the bracket front. Is there Zerc's in there? Something to grease? Other than the Tilt Tube I cant see any fittings. Again, I'm not talking about the Tilt Tube or its grease fittings....But the upper and lower swivel points on the swivel bracket.

Its becoming apparent oiling and working it by hand is not going to solve this problem.....I'm hoping someone has successfully done this and might have some things to try, or the eventual correct solution (and a how to). Its a good running motor, its a shame this might render it useless. Ive got a non OMC manual and they dont mention this area

Thanks for any input

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

Sounds like it's time to disassemble it and clean it up. Re-assemble it with fresh new grease and you should be good to go. Tilts and swivels are real notorious for getting stiff over time.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

On my Merc there is a zerk with a rubber covering. It doesn't really lool like a zerk is under it, but it is. I know you are taking about a Johnson/Evinrude but do you see any rubber cover type things on the side of the swivel bracket?

 

[boobie]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

It also sounds to me like you're going to have to disassemble the swivel bracket and that's a big job. If it was my mtr I'd drill some small holes in the top of the housing and mix up some ATF and Acetone 50/50 and squirt that in an and let it work while turning the mtr. PATIENCE. It just may break loose.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

Yea, I had to do this to an old Merc too. Never would have thought a motor this late would need it.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

Just a guess, but hanging on the CMC TnT might be allowing more splash into the swivel because it's farther from the transom. Add not being able to shoot grease into it doesn't help. It is 21 years old.

 

[toddschubert]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

RothFM
I just looked at my '93 88spl w factory tnt. They are rare...good thing you cleared that up. I may be able to help w tnt issue w more info.
I've got a zerk about mid point port side of swivel housing. I assume it services both upper and lower bearings.
Did you catch that one and load it up? Looks like it would take a lot of grease.

 

[toddschubert]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

Correction, there are two zercs one at top too. The motor would have to be in up possition to see and service.
take relief screw out of tnt and fill plug and see if you can't lift it.

 

[rothfm]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

toddschubert, Thanks for looking and seeing those lube points. Yea, i've got to get back to it. I'll either get a battery on it again, or do the manual tilt(relief) to see if I have those fittings. IF the are there and dont seem to take grease, I will apply some mild heat to try and get some in.

At some point I'll work on the original factory TNT, and see what the deal is. Thank you for offering the help there. Let you know. Its a nice looking and running motor--I hope it will eventually Steer.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

Your problem is not that uncommon. Yes, you are on the right track with the heat and new grease. Most likely someone has used a grease that was never intended to be used around water or it's just really old. As you heat the old grease at the top & bottom of the swivel housing the old grease will (hopefully) soften and you can force new grease in and force out the old. We like to use the same grease we use on trailer wheel bearings.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

Hey now. 1990 is not old. I have 1962 and older motors. .

I still think it is best to take it apart and clean it out really good and re-assemble it with the correct grease.

 

[rothfm]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

Does anyone know who to take that swivel bracket apart to inspect, clean and grease. Still trying to get the right manual to see if it talks about it. Anyone ever done it?

 

[Kyleb100]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

Does anyone know who to take that swivel bracket apart to inspect, clean and grease. Still trying to get the right manual to see if it talks about it. Anyone ever done it?

Subscribed to this thread, I'm interested in what it takes to tear it apart also. I have a 1994 88SPL and I just ordered the factory service manual, hopefully it has some valuable info on this

 

[toddschubert]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

Subscribed to this thread, I'm interested in what it takes to tear it apart also. I have a 1994 88SPL and I just ordered the factory service manual, hopefully it has some valuable info on this

Kyleb, I have same motor where did you order fact manual?
Roth, Looked at mine...you got a job on your hands. What happened to greasing zerks?

 

[rothfm]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

Update: Finally got back to the 88spl. Verified the TNT is aok as well as the tilt tube--I'm pleased with that. But the steering, Argggg!

I did find a single fitting mid-way along the swivel bracket. My gun broke so no grease today. But I did apply some heat carefully and did see black grease coming out the bottom. And since its hanging, theres no pressure on the top swivel so theres actually a bit of a space there. I see what looks like a stainless washer/bushing in there that is free, I can spin it around with my finger.

Mute point until I can force some grease in there, tomorrow. Still looking for the manual, and what the tear down process looks like. If anyone has done it, or has info please chime in. This motor is clean and smooth running so if I have a big job ahead, I still think it is worth it for a good motor.

 

[toddschubert]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

That mid point fitting faces port the upper one is underneath near where tilt ram pivot pin is on port side but facing forward if motor is down, faces downward if motor is up.

 

[Kyleb100]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

Kyleb, I have same motor where did you order fact manual?
Roth, Looked at mine...you got a job on your hands. What happened to greasing zerks?

Ebay, got it for 30 bucks shipped in "like new" condition. I have greased up my TNT zerk's but couldn't find the ones for the swivel tube. Sounds like I need to go take a better look!

 

[rothfm]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

Yea same here on looking better... Tood has two for that area, I swear I'm seeing only one, but I'll look very close again. Off to get a new grease gun. Maybe some better luck later today. I hope to get a genuine manual today also.

But I'm thrilled the TNT works, Tilt tube was free. May the Steering Gods be upon me!

 

[rothfm]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

Todd, Trying to post a pic...I may have found that second one. Is this the location. On Port, upper about 1/2 inch from the upper tilt ram pivot, facing foward? Mine was missing its zerc and the hole covered over with crud-I missed it. Cant tell if its threaded. Double checking this is the location.

 

[Mas]

Re: Looking for the Masters of Swivel Bracket knowledge! very sticky swivel on 1990

I feel for you! I had to disassemble to free my steering on an different and older motor. I could not believe how stuck it was. Heat and mallets finally did the job. It was a "salty" motor with very little grease...bad combo!

Mas