OMC Stringer 800

[skibullfrog]

I have an 85 Bayliner with a 5.7L and an 800 Stringer with tru course steering. I have completely restored the boat and took it out Sunday for a trial run and encountered a few things where I have a couple of questions.

The steering is very stiff to turn, typical cable steering. It is a newer cable with no visible wear. Is there a way to lubricate the cable or other parts to ease this a little? When moving along at full throttle it is very difficult to turn and at low speeds as well just not as difficult.

When transistioning from forward to neutral and reverse it seams you have to wiggle it quite a bit to get into neutral. Again checked the cables etc and they look good. Could this be the cable that goes into the lower unit that is causing the difficulty?

Finally, can I change the ball gears without taking the outdrive off? Maybe with an offset wrench? Any tricks here?

Any advice would be great.

Thanks,

Damon

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: OMC Stringer 800

There is no way to remove ball gears with drive on, even if you get the nuts off they still need pressed off of the shafts.

 

[skibullfrog]

Re: OMC Stringer 800

When you say pressed on, then what does it entail to remove the shafts?

 

[wire2]

Re: OMC Stringer 800

When you say pressed on, then what does it entail to remove the shafts?

You don't have to remove the shafts. You have remove the ss seal over the center, remove the nut, then fit a puller to get the ball gear(s) off.

Clean up the shaft if rusty/dirty, fit the new gears on, drive them home with the nut, glue a new ss seal over the hole, tap it in the middle with a hammer to expand it slightly.

All of this is next to impossible with the leg still on the intermediate.

 

[skibullfrog]

Re: OMC Stringer 800

I have decided to take it off and replace the seals as well. Can anyone help with the other two questions?

Thanks

 

[wire2]

Re: OMC Stringer 800

On the stiff steering; an '85 OMC V8 should have power steering, doesn't yours?
I'd undo the tie rod from the end of the cable, then see if the steering is free at the wheel. Then you'll know if the problem is in the boat or outdrive.

Same with the shifter; undo the cable at the shift convertor, see if it's easy now.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC Stringer 800

The steering is very stiff to turn, typical cable steering.

not typical of trucourse at all. At the dock it's 1 finger without power assist.

the trucourse shaft through the intermediate has a grease fitting on some

Another common thing that can make steering very tight is improper shimming of the upper gearcase to exhaust housing.

The upper gearbox should be able to float about .020" within the top cap of the exh hsg. pry it up and down with a screwdriver to check it has vertical movement

any more than .030" and the top cap seal leaks water into the upper

any less and the steering can lock. shims go under the top cap to adjust it.

If anyone has had the drive apart swapping ebay uppers or lowers this is suspect.

greasing the swivel bearing may also be the trick.

try steering with the drive off.... if its no longer tight the friction is in the drive

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC Stringer 800

On the stiff steering; an '85 OMC V8 should have power steering, doesn't yours? .

power steering was super rare on 800's... one in a hundred kinda thing

 

[skibullfrog]

Re: OMC Stringer 800

Thanks Howard, I will look at that tonight.