Removing steering on Stringer

[GiMLit]

Hello again guys and gals

I am in the process of disassembling my project boat and I have hit a small snag.
I haven't gotten a manual yet and would like to complete engine removal etc...... I have 1 snag..... how do I remove the steering unit? cable comes in and wraps around gear. I have split the steering unit/coupler but I need/want to remove the steering unit to finish up.
On a car in this case I would be looking for a roll pin to knock out to allow the shaft of the steering unit to come out but I don't see one.
Anyway can someone assist me or even better if there is a link to a online repair manual that would be GREAT!!!!!!!!!

DOH little info would help.
4cyl 120 hp PP
400 OMC Stringer OD electric shift - cable steering. Anything else I can add ???????

Sorry , you guys are good but without any knowledge of what I am working on it would be hard to assist me.
LOL

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Removing steering on Stringer

The entire steering cable drum comes off the steering shaft, all in one piece. Do not take the drum apart.

You need to pull the outdrive. That is super easy on the electric shift. All you have to do is disconnect the shift cable.

Get a light and rotate the steering (nearest center) til you can see the drum retaining screw hole in the stern side of the drum. Use a slot head screwdriver to back the screw all the way out of the steering shaft. Now go grab the steering gear on the outside of the IH and pull it out. It would help to have someone pull it while you watched all the washers and bushing that are on either side of the drum.

Now you can lift the drum and cable up out of the way. When you put it back together, you want to straighten the steering wheel indicator and make sure that you hang the drive back on perfectly straight or your steering will be off.

Also, there is a plastic ? cup type bushing, in the forward support hole, for the shaft that may be worn or broken. You will probably want to get a new one.

This is also a good time to re-lube the two cable ways. I would prop the rear drum as high up in the air as you can. Get a spray can of a good teflon bearing lubricant with a straw nozzl. Have someone slowly turn your steering wheel as you spray down the retracting cable way, then do likewise on the return stroke. You'll want to do that several cycles. My 1975 cable was getting real stiff and it made all the difference in the world. It will also help prolong the life of a very expensive cable.

 

[GiMLit]

Re: Removing steering on Stringer

AHHHHHH
Very cool
Sorta what I expected but I couldn't see or feel the screw. I looked at the drum and figured it was unlikely that it was to come apart for removal.
Easy............... agreed, LOL simple as heck actually. Boats are a joke when it comes to taking stuff apart. Wayyyyyyyyyy to much room and too easy.

 

[GiMLit]

Re: Removing steering on Stringer

Thanks Boomyal for your help.
Got it !!!!!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Removing steering on Stringer

Thanks Boomyal for your help.
Got it !!!!!

Good luck, don't forget to lube it.

The drum does come apart and you can remove the cable but I think you'd need a PhD to get it back together right.

 

[THE BEEF]

Re: Removing steering on Stringer

Gimlit
Was it really that easy to do? Im converting to a Mechanical shift this fall and want to lube my steering cables if its not a pain.What lube did you end up using?
Thanks
Beef

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Removing steering on Stringer

Gimlit
Was it really that easy to do? Im converting to a Mechanical shift this fall and want to lube my steering cables if its not a pain.What lube did you end up using?
Thanks
Beef

I think you're addressing this to me BEEF. Yes it was that easy to do. My recommendation would be to use TriFlow or Trifilon?, both teflon bearing spray lubricants. You want something that will get down the cableway but have a little staying power. Whatever you do, do not use WD40.

What are you converting from? You don't have to remove any steering components to convert. Just if you want to get your cable lubed. Remember to pull out that drum and lift it as high into the air as you can before you start shooting the lube. This will insure that you get more juice, further into the cableway.

 

[THE BEEF]

Re: Removing steering on Stringer

Thanks BOOMYAL
I have a hydro mech on my 81 stringer and I am going to full mechanical shift.
Beef

 

[GiMLit]

Re: Removing steering on Stringer

Easy ........... yes I consider most anything up to this point that is mechanical in nature to be easy, realative to some auto repairs I have done in the past 25yrs.
Been around cars for 40 yrs and working on them for 30 with 25+ being in the automotive industry. Try doing a clutch on a Eagle Talon 4wd or a Toyota Celica Turbo 4wd, those are NOT easy.

Anyway......... yes I would consider it an easy job.
What lube to use....... I would recommend anything really. Ideally a lithium based grease likely would be best. Really a lttle lube is all that is required. Once the sheething on the cable housing starts coming apart that is where you will be into stiff steering, a little lube will help prevent that. After that point your only real solution would be cable replacement.
The drum is exposed to heat and obviously moisture so keeping it somewhat greased would be ideal.

Removing the drive to go from electric shift to cable........ not been around long enough to see why you would do that if it is working but removing the outdrive with electric shift should be less than an hour if you have a manual or experiance.
Hope that made sense and I helped. Anything I can clarify let me know and I would be happy to assist in anyway.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Removing steering on Stringer

....What lube to use....... I would recommend anything really. Ideally a lithium based grease likely would be best. ...

Respectfully, I'd rather doubt that a lithium spray grease would get far enough down the cableway to lube the whole length. Ideally, you want the lube to work its way all the way to the forward terminus of the cable. When you turn the wheel, lock to lock, I speculate that the cable only moves about 1/3 the length of the cable housing. A lighter lubricant, especiallly if you elevate the rear drum, will be more likely to work it's way to the forward end of the cableways.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Removing steering on Stringer

Thanks BOOMYAL
I have a hydro mech on my 81 stringer and I am going to full mechanical shift.
Beef

Hope you have the Mech shift converter w/ esa switches and cable. Why are you changing? There are mods that can be done to the hydro that make it bullet proof.

 

[THE BEEF]

Re: Removing steering on Stringer

BOOMYAL
I did my home work, I found a lower unit just rebuilt with a new input shaft and new shift cable for $500.00 on ebay, got it and it looks real good. I had bought the converter last year when I started to think about changing ,also I found a OMC converson kit on ebay with all the wiring plugs, module and support brackets. They said it was the most complete kit offered from OMC also brand new old stock.
Ill keep the old unit for back up. Right now it grinds a little in reverse.I would like to go through it some time next year. Remember I have a spare if you need it.
Take care
Beef