Steering is stuck after sitting all winter

Joined
Sep 21, 2008
Messages
22
I need help with my steering. After sitting all winter i can`t turn the steering wheel or manully turn the motor. I have a 1984 evenrude 115 horse o/b and i can`t steer it . It is stuck in one place. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this? Thanks. Bob
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
Joined
May 19, 2001
Messages
26,065
Re: Steering is stuck after sitting all winter

Disconnect the steering from the motor and try it again. There is corrosion built up someplace and you have to figure out if it is the cable or the motor.
 
Joined
Sep 21, 2008
Messages
22
Re: Steering is stuck after sitting all winter

Ok thanks, i think it is on the motor. I just disconnect the cable and then what do i do?
 

Cannondale

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 22, 2010
Messages
278
Re: Steering is stuck after sitting all winter

Ok thanks, i think it is on the motor. I just disconnect the cable and then what do i do?


See if the motor will turn freely by hand. If it does, the problem's not there. Then turn the steering wheel. If it resists, then the problem's in the cable. Process of elimination.
 

cr2k

Captain
Joined
Mar 19, 2009
Messages
3,730
Re: Steering is stuck after sitting all winter

Next year you can prevent it by cleaning and lubing the end that comes thru the tilt tube.

If it is the cable it is probably where it goes through the tilt tube. Be verrry careful beating on this end, it is a very tight fit and if you deform the at all it will not come out.
 

AgentJ

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 4, 2011
Messages
110
Re: Steering is stuck after sitting all winter

I need help with my steering. After sitting all winter i can`t turn the steering wheel or manully turn the motor. I have a 1984 evenrude 115 horse o/b and i can`t steer it . It is stuck in one place. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this? Thanks. Bob

Your steering cylinder is locked up. you will have to replace it.
 

Blake0912

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 31, 2010
Messages
313
Re: Steering is stuck after sitting all winter

A hammer Wd40 and some grease =)
 

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: Steering is stuck after sitting all winter

chances are, it's the steering at the motor. If you try to force the wheel, you break the workings under the dash. But a little pressure while working on it is OK.
After you disconnect and find it's not the motor, tap the rod with a hammer in to the tube, with liquid wrench liberally applied. Sometimes you want to loosen the nut on the other side of the motor to see if you can get some LW in there, too. Once it starts movnig try a little back and forth.

If the arm is stuck in the tube, you have to hammer it out (which is why you don;t leave the boat with the tube in). I have put a right angle metal doohickey in the arm's screw hole (like a 1/2" allen wrench) and hammered out.
 

Guitar1

Cadet
Joined
Jun 28, 2010
Messages
6
Re: Steering is stuck after sitting all winter

Just fixed mine......The motor is a 1988 Yamaha 90 2 stroke with a Teleflex mechanical steering cable. The problem is that when not used frequently, the grease becomes very hard (like cement) and causes the steering tube to "freeze" up.

As discussed in this thread, try to get the cable out of the motor. (Use liberal amounts of WD-40, liquid wrench, penetrating oil, etc.) You will probably need to use a wood block and mallet to tap it out.

When removed......I used liberal amounts of slovent and bought a 5/8" Masonary bit (13" long!) from Home depot. Be careful and try to turn the bit very slowly so as NOT to cause it to wobble. One the "gook" is cleaned up, use a wire brush (shotgun cleaning kit) and polish the tube.

Lubricate it thoroughly prior to reassembling. It will work better than new!

Guitar1

P.S. Don't forget to replace the O-Ring......That's probably how the water got in there and froze it up in the first place!
 

OSP

Recruit
Joined
May 15, 2011
Messages
1
Re: Steering is stuck after sitting all winter

There should be some grease serts on either your motor or under your console. Hit them with some grease and see if that fixes it. Mine did the same thing. Greased them up and I'm back in business. At the least, see if that does it before you invest good money to buy new steering cables.
 

pine island fred

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 20, 2002
Messages
1,144
Re: Steering is stuck after sitting all winter

That is a lot of HP. hanging on your transom. All things wear out and need replacement. Please bite the bullet and replace the steering system, not that expensive. Even if it turns out to be the motor rotation that is dragging, replace the cable. Its a boat, just like a car steering. Some things are more important than others and your are fortunate to have been given a warning that something is wrong. regards FRED
 
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