Steering froze at steering wheel

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ba_50

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The steering wheel attaches to a round aluminum piece that holds the steering cable under the panel. My brother says it is hard to turn or frozen.
It works on a 1986 OMC 30hp outboard.

Are they fixable? Thanks.
 
Scott Danforth

Scott Danforth

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Re: Steering froze at steering wheel

without a picture we would simply be guessing. that being said, my guess is that either your steering helm control is frozen, or most likely the cable or tilt tube is frozen
 
MH Hawker

MH Hawker

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Re: Steering froze at steering wheel

It is a lot simpler to replace both, it can be very hard to find matching parts,
 
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ba_50

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Re: Steering froze at steering wheel

I can't get a picture but it is just a cable that winds in or out and moves the steering cable.
 
Bondo

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Re: Steering froze at steering wheel

ba_50 said:
I can't get a picture but it is just a cable that winds in or out and moves the steering cable.
Click to expand...

Ayuh,... That's called a helm unit,... Is there 1 cable goin' to the motor or two,..??

If it's a single cable, Pull it, 'n replace it with a Helm, 'n Cable Kit,....
 
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Home Cookin'

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Re: Steering froze at steering wheel

many times they are stuck at the motor and can be worked loose with penetrating oil and hammer taps, plus some gentle pressure from the wheel. Gentle is key. Disconnect the rod from the motor, too, to be sure the motor is swinging free.
 
Triangleboater

Triangleboater

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Re: Steering froze at steering wheel

I just had this happen. Pb blaster the tube near the motor. Let sit. Be gentle and try to work loose.
 
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ba_50

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Re: Steering froze at steering wheel

It has one cable and I don't think it is stuck at the motor. I'll be down there next week and c heck it out. Thanks.
 
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ba_50

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Re: Steering froze at steering wheel

I checked it over and the steering cable works fine by itself. It is the motor that turns hard while just sitting. I greased the middle zert but it didn't help.

Is there a tension screw/bolt near the gear shaft that will loosen it up? I turned it counterclockwise and it seemed to help some, if that is what it is for. It is still rather difficult. Thanks.
 
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limitout

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Re: Steering froze at steering wheel

just keep greasing it and working penetrating fluids into it. over time it will loosen up but if its bad it could take a while to free up.

in a worse case you may need to pull the motor and separate the swivel arm and clean it out, I don't know if its going to just be build up in there or if the bearings might need replacing but that's where your problem is
 
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ba_50

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Re: Steering froze at steering wheel

limitout said:
just keep greasing it and working penetrating fluids into it. over time it will loosen up but if its bad it could take a while to free up.

in a worse case you may need to pull the motor and separate the swivel arm and clean it out, I don't know if its going to just be build up in there or if the bearings might need replacing but that's where your problem is
Click to expand...

I never thought about bearings. Being in a salt water area is bad news for maintaining stuff.
 
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