Steering Not Frozen, but...

[gidrac]

really tight. I replaced my steering system (manual Teleflex) two years ago for my 150 HP Evinrude. Now, it's gotten really hard to turn again. And, if I turn all the way port or starboard, it will get stuck there and it takes a little more force to get it back around again. <br /><br />I gave it a really good grease job last year, but that didn't work. Is it possible to over-grease the steering cables? I might have gotten a little too grease happy. <br /><br />It also looks that the grease may have gotten a bit dirty. Is there any way to totally clean this out without having to pull the steering out? Or, maybe there is some kind of spray cleaner/greaser that I can use?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

Hi gidrac,<br />Have you disconnected the steering arm from the motor to make sure it's the cable?<br />If so, I just did the same as you about 6 months ago and my steering froze hard over to starboard.<br />I had to remove the steering shaft from the tilt tube and clean that out due to gunked up grease. I will be getting one of those tilt tube nuts with the zerk fitting next. Hope that works.<br /><br />Dave

 

[gidrac]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

Ok, but if the motor moves freely, how do you tell whether it's the cable or the tilt tube?

 

[angus63]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

Disconnect cable and turn the helm. How does that feel? Hug the motor and turn lock to lock? How does that feel? Be sure to test helm with cable in same position as when connected. Attack the one that takes the most effort to move. Some light lube sprayed in the teleflex helps. Have you cleaned and greased the fitting that lubes the shaft the motor turns on. (my fitting is hidden under the trailor lock arm).<br />Good Luck

 

[james roach]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

put a lube nut on it and forget about it. Best 20 bucks you will ever spend

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

Originally posted by gidrac:<br /> Ok, but if the motor moves freely, how do you tell whether it's the cable or the tilt tube?

You need to remove the cable from the tilt tube to see if it moves freely. Also you could try removing the nut that attaches the cable to the tube and then turn the wheel to see if the cable moves away from the motor/tube. If so, then it is probably jammed up within the tube.<br /><br />Dave

 

[gidrac]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

Thanks for the replies. My guess is that its going to be the tilt tube. The grease has been coming out black and gritty on the shaft. I just replaced the whole steering system two years ago. So, I don't think it could be the cable.<br /><br />I am a bit confused on what to use to clean the tube out. Is there something specific I can get at an autobody shop? I would like to be able to pick it up this weekend. Also, there has been many opinions on what type of grease to use inside the tube after it has been cleaned. Can someone reccommend a specific product and clear this up for me?<br /><br />P.S. After reading many of the posts here, I realized that it is somewhat common to have to remove the engine in order to get the cable out of the tube. Well, I am a bit embarrassed to say, but I didn't know this two years ago when I changed my steering cable. So, I hacksawed the cable out, then realized I couldn't get the new one back in!<br /><br />So, I drilled opened the hole where the original cable came out of, opening it up more toward the stern and later filled it with epoxy. I know now this was not the right way to go, thanks to you guys, but does anyone think this will be a problem for me down the road?

 

[OBJ]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

Hey gidrac, any thing that will clean the tube out will do fine. What to consider is some kind of wire brush that you can put through the tube and get the corrosion out if any. Then reclean. While the ram is outta tha' tube, turn the steering wheel and see if it's still free. <br /><br />If the epoxy job was a good one, it shouldn't give you any grief in the future.<br /><br />By the by....sure hope ya' didn't bend the ram end of the steering cable during the installation. That would be bad news.

 

[gidrac]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

No, I'm pretty sure I didn't bend it during the installation. That's why I drilled the hole. After installation, I could turn that sucker with one finger!<br /><br />So, what kind of grease would you suggest?

 

[james roach]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

The moving parts of the cable are on the starboard side of the motor. Take it apart and you will see. If you are greasing the port side of the cable you are doing little if any good. 2 winters ago I replaced the steering system on my 200 johnson with a whole new telefix system. I greased the port side only and within a year it was already starting to stick. I pulled the cable back out and put a lub nut on it. While I had the cable out I saw how the cable really works. The parts that make it work are on the starboard side. I put the lub nut on it and put the fluid in it and I think I have put lube in it 2 more times in 1.5 years. Put it in and your problems will be over. It is little trouble to unbolt the motor and do it the right way. Borrow an engine lift or use a come-along tool and a large tree limb.

 

[gidrac]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

Ok, I took the ram all the way out and cleaned it well. I kept moving the steering wheel back and fourth to keep exposing the old grease on the ram. It was black and somewhat gritty. It took a while to get all the old grease out, but when I was done, it was beautifully shiny. The problem was that it never really got free, even after I put a fresh coat of grease on. It got a little better, but not much.<br /><br />I cleaned out the tilt tube, but I really don't think that is the problem. It had some old grease in it, but no corrosion or rust. A few swipes with some WD 40 and a rag did the job.<br /><br />So, now I'm thinking it might be something that has to do with the steering box. Could this be? Is there anything behind the steering wheel that I can clean and lube up?<br /><br />I'd really hate to have to replace the whole cable. I did it two years ago, and I think it should last a bit longer than that!

 

[james roach]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

I prefer something thinner than grease. The fluid that comes with the lub nut (hint) works flawlessly. Try getting something thinner than grease up in the cable. I seriously doubt it is anything other than your cable. Motor oil or transmission fluid should do it.

 

[gidrac]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

Originally posted by james roach:<br />...Try getting something thinner than grease up in the cable...

I'm assuming you mean the ram? If not, how do I get oil on the cable? It looks like it's pretty much all sealed up.

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

It IS all sealed up gidrac.<br />If you removed the ram from the tilt tube and it was still stiff, the cable is the culprit.<br />On mine the cable is not removable from the rack behind the helm and there is little if anything that can be done to lube it. When you removed the ram from the tube, did the wheel turn easily?<br />What kind of steering unit is it? Teleflex No Feedback? Rack and pinion?

 

[gidrac]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

Originally posted by Dave Abrahamson:<br />When you removed the ram from the tube, did the wheel turn easily?

No, but after I cleaned out the old grease and gave it some new grease, it became a little better, but not much. Tilt tube is clean as a whistle and I can see my reflection in the ram, it's so shiny.<br /><br />

Originally posted by Dave Abrahamson:<br />What kind of steering unit is it? Teleflex No Feedback? Rack and pinion?

Teleflex No Feedback - 2 years old.

 

[james roach]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

On the starboard side where the working parts are is where you put the thinner fluid. If you put the lube nut on it will lubricate the arm as well as the tilt tube from the starboard side. The new steering on my boat started doing this when it was less than 1 yr old. My motor is used exclusively in salt water. A large headache for me is now worry free.

 

[gidrac]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

Originally posted by james roach:<br />If you put the lube nut on it will lubricate the arm as well as the tilt tube from the starboard side.

Where is this lube nut that everyone talks about? I have a black plastic nut that screws onto the port side of the tilt tube. Is that it? If that is it, mine is in bad shape and probably could be replaced. Where can I get a replacement?

 

[james roach]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=17934&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults <br /><br />Put this on the starboard side. I wouldn't harp on this if I didn't firmly believe in it. I was looking at replacing a cable that was 1 year old. When you put this on, you drill a small hole into the threaded section of the tilt tube. This lets the fluid in where it is needed. Grease simply wont get it done in a salt environment. Good luck.

 

[gidrac]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

Thanks James. I think I'll get the whole cable buddy system. Can't wait!

 

[mochosla]

Re: Steering Not Frozen, but...

Did the cable buddy help? I'm in the same predicament as you were and I am planning to install the cable buddy. Let me know if it worked for you please.<br /><br />Thanks. <br /><br />There's no business like show business. There's also no business like certified public accounting, but it doesn't rhyme as well.