OMC 400 Stringer Steering Shaft Zerk Fitting Stripped Out

[davynep]

It is a '79 by the way. I am thinking of putting some JB Weld on it. Either that or I have to take the outdrive off again, which I just paid for and remove the steering shaft that I just had installed. When your greasing this Zerk, just below the steering shaft on the outdrive, you want to turn the wheel at the same time right? But with the outdrive down all the way is it still possible to get a grease gun in there even with an extender?

I would also consider some kind of soft plug for the hole as we can grease it still if the plug is removable? Any ideas are much appreciated.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC 400 Stringer Steering Shaft Zerk Fitting Stripped Out

I would probably try to JB weld the grease fitting back in. Worth a shot. Or maybe there's another grease fitting slightly larger you could tap up to. I know there's about 4 or 5 somewhat common grease fitting types with different threads, some tapered, some straight. I'm not well versed in how they are all uniquely identified though, if some are metric or whatnot.

 

[vipertech]

Re: OMC 400 Stringer Steering Shaft Zerk Fitting Stripped Out

you could tap up to. I know there's about 4 or 5 somewhat common grease fitting types with different threads, some tapered, some straight. I'm not well versed in how they are all uniquely identified though, if some are metric or whatnot.

This is the best way to repair it. Your local auto parts store should have the next thread size up. Get a tap if you don't Have one they should also have one there.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC 400 Stringer Steering Shaft Zerk Fitting Stripped Out

and safety is paramount. A grease gun can develop 10,000 psi if someone is strong enough (and maybe dumb enough) to pump that hard, and grease exiting a crack or split at that pressure can cause dangerous skin penetration.

 

[davynep]

Re: OMC 400 Stringer Steering Shaft Zerk Fitting Stripped Out

Can i tap up with no clearance and a 1/2in deep hole? You see the steering shaft is just on the other side of the zerk. Must I remove the shaft? Even if i can get something half way in, if it sticks and keeps water out I would be very happy.

 

[vipertech]

Re: OMC 400 Stringer Steering Shaft Zerk Fitting Stripped Out

You could always clean it very well and try some 2 part epoxy. It may or may not hold it in place with the pressure from the grease gun. Either way it's worth a shot.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OMC 400 Stringer Steering Shaft Zerk Fitting Stripped Out

Can i tap up with no clearance and a 1/2in deep hole? You see the steering shaft is just on the other side of the zerk. Must I remove the shaft? Even if i can get something half way in, if it sticks and keeps water out I would be very happy.

I would think that you would want to use a bottoming tap. Not sure if they make them in tapered pipe thread taps but you could find a local tool shop and they should be able to tell you. One thing is with the steering shaft in place, it would probably be impossible to over drive a tapered tap. I did that when I tapped for for a 1/8 NPT pipe plug in my tilt gearbox. I have to use many wraps of teflon tape to get the plug to draw up snug,

 

[davynep]

Re: OMC 400 Stringer Steering Shaft Zerk Fitting Stripped Out

Most men wouldn't admit this.... I got the JB Weld ready to go and thought a new zerk would be a good idea..... well it was. I got a variety pack and tried a few of them. There was one that had a slightly larger tread area. Stuck it in and it sucked right up. Curiously enough the zerk that looked exactly like the one that came out, did not thread either. It was shorter with a rounded/tapered tip. That was the first one I tried. Then I tried the 90 degree angled tip. This one threaded but would be difficult to use. Well the 45 degree angle had the same thread as the 90 and would allow for greasing. Put it in a couple turns, loaded with locktight, then sucked it up tight. Think I might go test it out today and see if the steering is locking up again.

Another curious thing that happened is my anchor got stuck on something in Pittsburg next to the stacks. Why is this important you say? Well we had a hell of a time getting it loose. After a long day of nothin we caught a 52 in sturgeon. Booo yaaa. Getting ready to leave when the anchor is stuck. First I'm softly using the boat motor but then I really get into it. We finally end up pulling another anchor up with our own and extra chain and old rope and a big tree limb. Well the anchor is pretty nice but everything was caked in that delta coral. Anyways in the process I turned the motor completely in either direction multiple times. All of a sudden the steering loosened up significantly. Well Im gonna keep loading that steering shaft with grease.