Lubricating the steering

[Paul R]

I bought a used 2004 Nitro Sport 188 a couple of months ago. It has a Merc 125 ELPTO motor. The steering is extremely stiff and I have noticed that the steering rods at the motor have dried grease on them and it appears that there is little to no grease in the tubes. I am not certain of the names of the parts, so bear with me. The steering has dual tubes right in front of the motor with the steering rods that come out of them to attach to the motor. I have a service manual for the motor from Merc, and it shows grease zerks on the steering rods where you lubricate the rods and sleeves. My steering does not have the grease zerks, just big nuts that attach the cable to the rods and sleeves. Without the zerks, how do you lubricate the rods? Just loosen the cable nut, pull it back and squirt in grease?<br /><br />Any advice would be appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Paul

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Lubricating the steering

Hey Paul<br /><br />Pretty much what you said about taking the nut off and pulling the rod out. I don't know how much room you will have to pull the rod out, but loosen the big nut and disconnect the steering rod from the link on the motor. Pull it out as far as you can(Turn the steering wheel to shorten it up) and clean it up. The zerks are for the tilt tube lube. Not for the steering rod. It just appears that way. Clean the tubes off real good and apply a film of oil. Should be good to go. Do this at least once a year to prevent frozen up steering...There are kits that you can install, but I don't know how effective they are...<br /><br /> web page<br /><br />

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Lubricating the steering

Are there no fittings elsewhere on the "tube"? On my boat there are grease fittings on the housing itself, not the nuts, look everything over very carefully there should be a number of grease fittings all over the outboard.

 

[Paul R]

Re: Lubricating the steering

Thanks Rick!

 

[Paul R]

Re: Lubricating the steering

Studly,<br /><br />There are no grease zerks anywhere on the steering rods or sleeves. My Merc manual shows zerks right where the cable connects to the sleeve, but I evidently have an aftermarket setup and it doesn't have them.<br /><br />Paul