Steering link rod and tube problem? Older Merc

[accentphoto]

In the midst of working on this recently acquired Grumman 5.0, I noticed that the motor never turned and the steering wheel seemed locked. This motor is steered by a rotary steering unit that has the steering cable that goes to the steering tube on the motor.

Here is the questions and or problems and please use the photos for reference:

1. Is the steering cable from the steering wheel physically connected to the steering link rod or is there some type of hydraulic method involved?

2. Should the steering cable come out mostly but not all the way without removing the nut in the photo or is there a problem inside the tube with the steering cable?

3. As you can see, the steering cable can be pushed in the tube and pulled out but the steering link rod does not move or feel connected in any way to the steering cable. What could be wrong? Any special way to clean and re-lube this area?

Thanks!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering link rod and tube problem? Older Merc

Ayuh,...It oughta be good, 'n Greasey inside the tube,...
And, the Nut has to be screwed to the tube...

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Steering link rod and tube problem? Older Merc

Your problem is the outer slide of cable is stuck in the tilt tube. What you see in the 3rd pic is the inner cable that moves slide and 2nd pic is the end of slide with steering arm atached.

 

[accentphoto]

Re: Steering link rod and tube problem? Older Merc

But what actually makes the outer side move? It seems the inner cable is not attached to the outer side (I am talking about the port side on the transom). I intentionally left the starboard side nut loose to show that it allow me to take out the steering cable and that the steering cable is not attached to the actual steering arm on the port side. Again, what makes the two work together? Something does not seem correct. If I unstick the steering link does this mean everything should work? Should the steering cable freely pull out of the steering tube 100% or is there a "retainer" attached to the end of the steering cable?

 

[j_martin]

Re: Steering link rod and tube problem? Older Merc

The steering cable is a sleeve and wire assembly, with a stiff rod crimped to the motor end of the wire, and some way of pushing it and pulling it at the helm. Like any control cable, the housing (sleeve) is held firmly in place, and the center wire moves back and forth driving whatever linkage is attached. In this case, the sleeve is held by the nut fastening it to the tilt tube.

The rod fits with just a little clearance in the tilt tube, extending out the other side. From there should be a link to the steering arm on the engine, so that when the rod is pushed in and out, the engine turns. The cable is sealed on one end, and the rod goes through an o-ring seal on the other end. Normally a little 2-4-C grease is on the rod to lubricate it.

It looks like the cable is bad, and someone started to try to remove it and left it open to the elements. You'll have to remove what's left of the cable and replace it. You probably need to take the engine off the transom to do that, as the rod goes clear through the tilt tube and is not flexible. If the rod is stuck in the tilt tube, a little gentle tapping with a hammer, wiggling with a wrench, and lots of deep creep will probably get it out. If someone has already been wailing on it with a hammer and it's mushroomed, you'll have to remove the entire tilt tube with the rod still in it.

Hope it helps.
John

 

[pinellas50]

Re: Steering link rod and tube problem? Older Merc

Once you get this apart and look at it things will make sense. What you are looking at in the tube is the end of the steering cable. As mentioned above the long rod(what you are seeing) is attached to the cable.

You shouldn't need to remove the two large nuts that the cable is going through. Those just hold the tilt tube in the bracket assy. You will need to remove that small nut and take the steering arm off the end of the cable. Once the steering arm is off, the cable will pull all the way through and out of the tilt tube. As mentioned above you might have to unbolt the motor from the transom and swing it slightly to have the clearance necessary to get the old cable out and new cable in.

I have a post in here somewhere from when I replaced my cable. In case you need a start to finish reference with pictures. It's not a write up, just questions that were coming up during my job. Once I learned that the tilt tube is really just a pipe with threads on each end that pushes through the brackets and is held in place by the large nuts on each end everything made sense to me. I hope that little tid bit didn't just add to any confusion you might have. If so, forget I said it because it isn't relevant to what you are currently trying to figure out.

 

[accentphoto]

Re: Steering link rod and tube problem? Older Merc

j_martin, as usual, a great thanks for the well explained detail. The same to you pinellas50. I will try to search for more info in the forum. Was there a certain question you posted that may help me find it better? Trying to figure out the best search words doesn't always work. John, I hope what your telling me is not the situation but knowing my luck it will be. I am really beginning to think I bought a endless problem. Any particular info to figure out when purchasing a new steering cable or do you just measure the longest length possible?

 

[accentphoto]

Re: Steering link rod and tube problem? Older Merc

So I have been trying to remove the steering link with no success. It is stuck closest to the nut on the port board side facing fore. I put some Power Blast Penetrator on it, the nut, the other nut on starboard side and even the steering cable which I shoved in and out as much as possible. I still can't pull the steering cable out of the tilt tube (I haven't loosened any of the pivot tube nuts). So since the steering link is stuck closest to the steering tube should I be more prone to pull it out to the port side or try banging it out to the starboard side? Just when I thought I was going to get this motor running I get his with the steering malfunction and a bad trim motor.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Steering link rod and tube problem? Older Merc

Last time I saw something like that was on about a 1975 20 hp. I got the boat cheap because the "mechanic" couldn't figure out how to beat the cable out of the motor and convinced the owner that it was junk and to buy a new boat.

I think the end on the steering cable (rod) screws off, and may be bigger diameter than the tilt tube.

If not, it may be swollen from hitting on it. That's remedied with a file.

If the rod moves within the tilt tube, you should be home free, except for the above caveats.

 

[accentphoto]

Re: Steering link rod and tube problem? Older Merc

Thanks John, I talked with my brothers friend in Panama City, FL where he goes by "Doc" and apparently he has many years in the control systems at a boat factory. I wished he would see the photos I put up as it explains the problem better.

He told me the normal rules of:

1. Spray penetrating oil everywhere you can
2. Use a wood block and mallet to not "mushroom" the link rod end
3. If this doesn't work then break out the torch and start heating it up.


My idea if these do not work is this:
4. Unbolt engine from transom
5. Cut old steering cable
6. Bang the crap out of the tilt tube until it comes out or
7. Bring out the saws-all

He said its not uncommon for a boat repairman to work on and bill for three to four hours of labor on this one ...