OMC Steering is locked. Any ideas?

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doberman-guy

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I have an 1980 omc 230 hp 350, I was told the outdrive was replaced. Where and when i dont know, but the steering wheel will not move. I had the outdrive off and that turns just fine back and forth. My question is: Do I need to run the engine for the power steering fluid to pass through the system and lubricate? The power steering pump was dry when i checked. It looks to be nothing in the way that would cause it from not turning. Any and all ideas would be very helpfull. Thank you
 
Howard Sterndrive

Howard Sterndrive

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Re: OMC Steering is locked. Any ideas?

there are shims that go on top of the upper gearcase, under the top exhaust housing cover of the drive. Sounds like someone might have left them out.
Take the 5 bolts loose on the exhaust cover, and it might start to steer. If so, you need to add shims under that top cover until there is about 10 or 15 thousands of an inch (I think - can't recall the exact spec) that the lower gearcase and exhaust housing can float up and down on the upper gearcase.
The factory OMC manual shows the shimming procedure with proper spec.

as far as a dry p/s pump, you'll need to fill it up and find the leak and fix that
 
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doberman-guy

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Re: OMC Steering is locked. Any ideas?

Ok I was looking into this but a bit lost. Is this on the outdrive or inside behind the engine towards the bottom of the boat. I see a white gearbox the would control the gear that tuns the outdrive. Sorry for the lack of correct terminolgy:facepalm:
 
Howard Sterndrive

Howard Sterndrive

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Re: OMC Steering is locked. Any ideas?

doberman-guy said:
I see a white gearbox the would control the gear that tuns the outdrive.
Click to expand...
no you don't, actually. the gears are in the outdrive lower unit near the propeller.

stand behind the boat. look at the top cover of the outdrive. there are 5 bolts recessed - that hold the top cover of the outdrive exhaust housing on. those are the bolts I'm referring to.

But really, if you are going to start working on the boat, I can't emphasize enough the need to get a manual. a real OMC one from eBay or ken cook publications.
 
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doberman-guy

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Re: OMC Steering is locked. Any ideas?

When the outdrive was off the boat, the steering from inside the boat was still locked. I already confirmed its not the cable by disconnecting it. Everything works up to that white gear box also. I will still loosen that cover on the outdrive, and I need to eliminate everything that works so i can ask better questions. I will look into a manual soon, would be very helpful.
 
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doberman-guy

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Re: OMC Steering is locked. Any ideas?

Yes it has power steering. The outdrive has been changed. Here are a couple of pictures of what it looks like. The model number to the out drive is 983488 and serial number is J358554. In one picture is that white box i was talking about.
 

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Howard Sterndrive

Howard Sterndrive

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Re: OMC Steering is locked. Any ideas?

definitely want the OMC manual then - I know the Seloc says very little if anything about p/s on 800 series. Something doesn't look right in that pic of the steering gear box.

looks like it's busted right open.

looked at a pic in the manual, the lever arm is up nice and tight to the housing.

regardless, I guess you want to start by unpinning the drag link and power cylinder from the arm there and see if you can steer the drive from the steering gear housing tiller arm

there is a grease fitting for that horizontal shaft going out to the drive on my 1983, not sure if it was there on the earlier units. They like to get dry and stick.
 
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doberman-guy

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Re: OMC Steering is locked. Any ideas?

I will fiddle with this gearbox for a while and let you know what I come up with. Thanks for your time and help thus far. This has been the most helpful forum I have ever been on.:)
 
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Gettinther

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clt400

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Re: OMC Steering is locked. Any ideas?

probably your steering cable. Bought my boat a few years ago, it's a 1987 fourwinns 235. steering was kinda tight for awhile and I thought it might be the power steering, but it wasn't too bad. then one day out on lake superior it just locked up. could not turn the wheel at all. turned out to be the cable. took it off tried to lube it-no luck. even ttried hooking one end up to the telephone pole, other end to the truck, would not budge a bit! look in the stern of your boat towards the transom and disconnect it and see if the wheel turns. Also, before you do that check your wheel. some boats have a lock down screw on them so you can lock the wheel while underway. kinda a cheap auto piliot
 
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doberman-guy

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Re: OMC Steering is locked. Any ideas?

Thanks Getinther, Yes i have seen both of those links the other day. The picture of the gearbox gave me an idea of what im getting into. Clt400, I started with the cable and worked my way to the gearbox. Everything works up until there and including the outdrive. Today i should have some time to try and work with that gearbox, not in the best of locations of course.
 
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menace two

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Re: OMC Steering is locked. Any ideas?

Had a similar issue on an 84 SeaRay. Ours has a steering tube at the back or the motor that was ceased. Removed the bolt on the port side of the steering linkage to isolate the tube and steering cable from the outdrive. Since the steering wheel still did not turn started to work to free up the steering tube. All ok now.
 
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doberman-guy

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Re: OMC Steering is locked. Any ideas?

All is good. The steering gearbox was missing its bolt and washer that held it in. Found the correct bolt and washer and put it back together. Also everything else was loose, somebody got lazy. Problem fixed and this thread can rest in peace. Thanks to all for your help
 
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