Steering: Do I have to pull the engine!

[KVH]

I'm trying to pull the steering cables and rods from the threaded tilt tube. There's not enough room, but the tube and rods clearly lack grease. It's all dried up in there.

I have a 1996 200 HP Evinrude. Do I actually have to pull the engine? I can't imagine asking my wife to hold the engine in her arms while I work on the cables, and a cherry picker seems like overkill for this exercise.

Any advice? Is it really engine pulling time, already? Thanks

 

[nastyquedawg]

Re: Steering: Do I have to pull the engine!

Yes, if you are removing the steering cable you have to remove the motor or at least thats what I had to do. I just recently did it on my 88hp johnson, but I was able to keep the controls connected. It was a two person job. Good luck.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Steering: Do I have to pull the engine!

soooo your just trying to get the steering cable out of the tilt tube right?

the cable cant make the bend or something? like its in a tight area?

on a standard boat large enough to hold a 200hp I dont see the area being too tight. unless maybe a pontoon or house boat.

if you have enough room it should slide right on out. and your probably dont have to remove the outboard, maybe just unbolt and wiggle it over?

and i dont think 1 person will be able to lift a 200hp outboard

 

[F_R]

Re: Steering: Do I have to pull the engine!

Agreed, it all depends on whether or not there is enough room to slide it out. I'd say a large majority of boats do not give you enough room. In that case, you have to unbolt the motor and lift it. No need to disconnect everything else, just let it hang from the hoist while you do the steering job. I can't imagine anybody lifting and holding it manually...rent a hoist of some sort. Even a come-along or block & tackle hanging from a tree will work.

 

[KVH]

Re: Steering: Do I have to pull the engine!

I was just kidding about my wife holding the engine, but I do have a serious follow up question.

The steering shaft from the cable is two thicknesses. Smaller as it enters the tilt tube and larger as it exits and connects to the rack. Does it come apart in two pieces to make it shorter?

Because if not it may well be too long to get out without sliding the engine down at least 8 inches.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steering: Do I have to pull the engine!

turn the wheel so the thin part retracts into the thicker, the thinner part is what moves and turns the motor. i have had to remove many. you may be able to cut the cable with a sawzall, to get it out, but you will never get the new one in. rent a cherry picker.

 

[KVH]

Re: Steering: Do I have to pull the engine!

OK, but I have to ask: What kind of design defect would throw someone into pulling an engine just to grease a steering tilt tube? On something as basic as an OMC boat and Evinrude motor. Seems crazy, but I guess I'm off for an engine hoist, not to rebuild an engine, but to squirt some grease. Shheesh!

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Steering: Do I have to pull the engine!

you really shouldn't have to do that. turn the wheel as far as possible to the right. then go grease the shaft. -now turn it all the way to the left. done.

(i think?)

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Steering: Do I have to pull the engine!

By your description, it sounds like you have the dual steering setup. look for zerk type lubrication points on both tilt tubes. The diagarams at shop.evinrude.com definately show one for the lower tube, and appear to show one for the upper tube.

If the steering rods have been lubed regularly, this should be all you need to do. If they have not been lubed often enough, the grease inside of the fittings and tubes may have hardened and you'll have a hard time getting any grease into them. In fact, you may not be able to get grease into them at all.

I don't think you will be able to grease the rods by hand either - the upper tilt tube shows a wiper nut and the bottom tube has a nut that may or may not be a wiper nut - its hard to tell by the diagram and description.

If you can't get grease into the tubes with a standard zerk type grease gun, I would say that you are going to have to lift the engine and pull the rods out. Once you do that, clean both the tubes and the rods thoroughly. Make sure you get the zerk fittings cleaned out too. You should then be able to apply a thin layer of grease on the rods by hand, reinsert them and follow up with normal application of grease with the gun.

I can't say that I am any sort of an expert on this engine (just going by the diagrams), so if anyone has any direct experience with them, speak up!

 

[F_R]

Re: Steering: Do I have to pull the engine!

I was just kidding about my wife holding the engine, but I do have a serious follow up question.

The steering shaft from the cable is two thicknesses. Smaller as it enters the tilt tube and larger as it exits and connects to the rack. Does it come apart in two pieces to make it shorter?

Because if not it may well be too long to get out without sliding the engine down at least 8 inches.

It does not come apart.

 

[James R]

Re: Steering: Do I have to pull the engine!

Such a big deal guys. An automotive engine hoist will lift the engine once the mounting bolts are removed.Retract the steering rod as far as you can. Undo the main nut at the motor. With the motor slightly raised shove it away from the cable and pull on the cable.
The reverse will put it back.

 

[KVH]

Re: Steering: Do I have to pull the engine!

Is there a special harness to buy for the engine before lifting it for its steering grease job?

Does the hoist need to be engaged before the bolts are loosened. It appears so.

thx

 

[James R]

Re: Steering: Do I have to pull the engine!

Don't know your specific motor but the manufacturer usually provides at least one hoist loop at the top of the motor. With your size motor there most likely is two, one near the back top and one toward the front.
I use a strong tie down strap. Make sure it's secure and is crossed over itself on the hook to prevent slipping.