Steering Problem

[Deb]

I have a 2000 75hp Mercury Pro.The steering is frozen,therefore the moter will not budge.I did have it in salt water prior to storing it for 1 year.I dont see any salt residue.What could be the possible problem/solution to unfreezing the moter?

 

[BKool68]

Re: Steering Problem

Disconnectthe arm that connects the steering cable to the motor and see if you can turn the motor by hand. Do not try to force the wheel as this may strip the gears that work the cable. If you can turn the motor by hand then you have a stuck cable. If it is the cable you can try loosening the nuts where the cable goes thru the pivot tube of the motor and spraying some penetrating oil in there. Try locking a pair of vice grips on the end of the cable where it connects to the steering arm and twisting it back and forth a little. If you get it to twist have a friend try to turn the wheel while doing this. Make sure to use the vice grips at the very end of the cable because they will scratch the cable up some and you don't want the seal on the pivot tube to get damaged form the scratches.If you get it free you want to extend the cable all the way out and clean it with a solvent to get the hardened crud off then put some grease on it.

 

[ivar]

Re: Steering Problem

Good advice from BK'68.<br /><br />If the cable is badly stuck, you may have to take it out of the boat and put it in a big vice ,<br />(VERY important , tie a rope in in when you pull it out , it can be a real "#¤%& bit¤%h to get back in place if you don't. Trust me , I learned that the hard way and wll not do that again!)<br /><br />Apply liberal amounts of penetrating oil , let it work for a while , and then get out the BIG hammer and worjk it with the hammer and vicegrips. If you get it loose , and can get the wire out of the outer sheath , soak the wire in diesel or gas and wire brush all the debris off.<br />When I put the wire back , I fill the sheath with whatever oil I have handy , mostly outboard gear oil , so the wire runs in an oil bath.<br /><br />Since I started doing that cleaning and oiling yearly , I havent had any cable failures , other than regular wear where it runs into the gears at the wheel.