Steering issue

wa_ssv197

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
266
I have a 1987 GT 200 V6 outboard and it has a 2 cable steering system. The cable that goes through the motor is tight, has anyone taken this apart and refurbished this portion of the steering system?
 

emdsapmgr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 9, 2005
Messages
11,551
Re: Steering issue

It is possible that the steering cable is hanging up inside the tilt tube. You can unbolt the dragging cable at the engine end and remove it from the engine's tilt tube. (On some boat models, you may need to unbolt the engine and move it back to gain access clearance.) You may need to clean out the inside of the tilt tube. If you clean this tube and the cable is still dragging, it is possible that the cable itself is aging and the inner cable is hanging up on the outer casing. You can perform some tests. Under the dash, disconnect one of the two racks. Turn the steering wheel. Replace the rack, remove the other rack. Turn the steering wheel. That determines which one of the cables is dragging. Replace the dragging cable. Unless you have the older Mercury Ride-Guide type cables, they are not made to be lubricated.
 

wa_ssv197

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 6, 2009
Messages
266
Re: Steering issue

I removed the cable ftom the tilt tube and the grime was evident. I took a 1/2" wire brush, welded it to some 1/4" all thread rod, attached that to my drill and cleaned it from both sides. I then blew the tube out with my air compressor and reassemble. Steering is much better now. I will be checking the rack end under the dash next.
This is the video that I followed.http://youtu.be/IucARiVT0JE
 
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