Major steering problem!!

[blchandler1981]

Im a newbie in owning a boat, and on my mercury 01 XR6 the steering is so stiff, that i dang near throw my back out while trying to turn it. This weekend I cleaned the tar like build up on a the racks (if thats the right terminology), greased the lube points, and put WD40 on the racks all day and trying to work it in the cables. I noticed that it said rack and pinion on the steering wheel, it thats any help, and I noticed from different forums that their are different type of racks. I have two cables going in the oppsite end of a dual rack, connected to one screw at the top of the racks. I can use any info anyone has, I have two attachments (pics) of the cables and racks Thanks

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Major steering problem!!

First of all, disconnect the motor from the cables and determine if the motor pivot is stiff or the cables are stiff. If it is the cables, loosen the big nuts that hold the cables onto the transom clamp. Now turn the wheel. If it is still stiff, you likely need to replace the cables. If it moves easily, pull the cables out of the transom clamp and clean the cable ends and transom tubes with a solvent. Regrease everything with marine grease.

if the motor is stiff, it is likely the lower pivot bushing. Post back with the results.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Major steering problem!!

If the cables going to that engine on a jack plate are both going through the original cable hole in the motor well, odds are the rear cable has a smaller radius in the bend than is allowed. Eventually that binds the cable. Been there, done that.

If you disconnect the cross connector and steering link from the cables, you'll probably be able to figure out if that's the case. You can pop one cable at a time off the rack (if it's the old system) and determine which one is binding. If you disconnect the steering, the engine should easily flop from side to side. Be careful it doesn't bite you in the pinch points.

Used cables for a morse dual rack are hard to come by. A new dual rack NFB system is a great upgrade. It also goes 4 turns lock to lock instead of 2.

hope it helps
John

 

[blchandler1981]

Re: Major steering problem!!

I loosen the nuts off on the cable and grabbed the tail end of the stingray and the engine moved freely. I cleaned and greased cables that went into the cable tubes, and reattached the nuts and steering wheel steering is still the same. So by that, can u tell me if the cables are bad or not? Can you tell me how many man hours this could take to take the old ones and replace the new ones? I?m defiantly new to this, but trying to do as much as possible to cut cost at the shop, especially with this economy. Thanks again Chris and JMartin you?ve been helpful.

 

[blchandler1981]

Re: Major steering problem!!

.....and is this diffcult to do?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Major steering problem!!

I have never found that replacing a steering cable is difficult. I have single cable rack&pinon systems on my two boats. Both boats have V6 outboard motors, and are easily controlled with these simple steering systems.

if your cable(s) are bad, you need to replace them. It should be as simple and pulling the new cable under the gunwale and attaching it to the steering system and the motor.

 

[cz0164]

Re: Major steering problem!!

Watch how hard you force the wheel, busted the gears in my helm and created another problem. Brute force can cost ya.

 

[blchandler1981]

Re: Major steering problem!!

Can anyone give me a guess on how long it may take to take out and replace these cables, so i can kind of get an idea how much will have to pay for installation?

Thanks for everyones input

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Major steering problem!!

My friend
I have the same problem with the same steering model. I will do to repair this weekend. Anyway this info is great for you, first take a look to this video: Dont use WD40 since with the water and weather it will come out in no time, You need to use Lithium Grease to lube the cables at the tilt tube. If need to replace the cables here is the info:

This will replace both Morse 300619 & 300620 Cables as follow;

SSC130XX where x is the lenght of your cable. Please let us know your results.

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Major steering problem!!

I have never found that replacing a steering cable is difficult. I have single cable rack&pinon systems on my two boats. Both boats have V6 outboard motors, and are easily controlled with these simple steering systems.

Chris, could you please upload a picture of your setup? Does it feels almost as "power steering"?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Major steering problem!!

I do not have a picture. You can look on the teleflex website. They likely have pictures of their steering systems. I use the low end rack and pinon systems. If you set the zinc anode on the Mercs or the steering fin on the OMCs properly, there is little torque from the motor. it is not like power steering. They also have the no feed back (NFB) steering systems as well as hydraulic, which are expected to be superior to the standard R&P systems.

 

[blchandler1981]

Re: Major steering problem!!

Krakatoa, that was a very good video. Now it gives me a lot of confidence to do the job myself "I defiantly need it". One other question for you and Chris or who ever, How do you disconnect the cables from the rack and pinion, if thats what the cables are connected to? I looked under the steering wheel and seen were they enter at. Since now I know how to disconnect the cables from the engine, if I can just get a detailed discon. for the R&P, i can do it. Sorry I'm very detailed oriented and just don't want to mess anything up.





My wife say's I luv my boat more then her, that might be true (lol)

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Major steering problem!!

BL...
Take a look to this post there you will see my set up, your looks more clean. I suppose that there is a few screws to disconnect the cables from the Rack & Pinion, but do not disconnect at this point until you are sure about the cables are useless. Iam pretty sure that this cleaning process will resolve the "stiff" situation since these cables are sealed and stainless steel inside, lets see whats happend. Also I want to share this Teleflex Booklet where you will find all kind of steering andcables from Teleflex.

I will do tomorrow the tilt tubing cleaning "both", will post the results, please post yours once done. Regarding wifes mine said the same.... both are right

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Major steering problem!!

Anyway I still asking If I can upgarde to Rotary or Rack & Pinion but just with one cable....

 

[blchandler1981]

Re: Major steering problem!!

KKTA, good post you have there. I'm going to try that cleaing and greasing also, but I may have to wait cause it's going to rain this weekend (will see). On the video is shows a single cable if im not mistaken, ours are dual. so when take off that marine lock screw, will i take out both racks? Or is the front cable the only tube to clean. One thing I did notice on my cables when I took off the large nuts on the cables, that the rear cable was really rubbing on the rear of the tube (?). I'll try to clean the cables tonight and post back.

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Major steering problem!!

Nneedto clean both titl tubes, disconnect one at a time to be sure to connect same cable to its housing. Remember to use Lithium Grease to lube the inside of the tilt tube. On the video the steering system is using just one cable.

 

[blchandler1981]

Re: Major steering problem!!

Disconnected both cables from the tilt tube and it was fairly lubricated. Then tried to clean the cable (like in the video), and I could not extend the cable out to clean it. Since that was the case I didnt attempt to clean the tubes just yet. So i'm guessing that the cables are seized. Called bass pro and gave them my serial # and found out that they are 200$, im thinking about going with those (since now i know how to maintain them). Any suggestions? Let know how urs go.

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Major steering problem!!

If that is the case, check it out here or IBOATS

 

[blchandler1981]

Re: Major steering problem!!

KKTA, do u have anymore info on disconnecting the cables from the R&P. Looked under the wheel again and seen the two screws, so do u know if u have to align anything in the R&P when putting a new cable in? Knowing me im probably over thinking it. I know my cables are 14' and cheapest that i've found so far was at boatfix.com 192.00$. Hopefully cleaning the tilt tubes work for u, let know how it goes

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Major steering problem!!

just unscrew the bolts when replacing, then 4 tun lock to lock to align, anyway will let you know. You can fiind your cable here in IBOATS cheapier than $192.00, revie the links provided above.