steering really tight

[mark2157]

1974 85hp johnson. The steering is really tight. Is there any adjustments. I looked through the manual and didnt find anything the boat has sat for a while. Sould I just spray everything down with WD-40? Also the boat is running rough at a slow idle and dies just as you try to put in gear, or just idle. I replaced spark plugs. I am hoping that it needs to just get worked a little to burn the cob webs out. Is there anything else I can do. Thanks

 

[KYHunter2]

Re: steering really tight

There should be a couple zert / grease fitting ,on the steering linkage at motor .

If there are, and you haven't greased them, try that.



KYHunter

 

[KYHunter2]

Re: steering really tight



Sorry didnt read your post thoroghly. If its been sitting for awhile. Rebuild carbs, water pump , link and sink .

Spark test wouldn't hurt. A decarb wouldn't either.

Look in FAQ's for awakening a sleeping outboard.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: steering really tight

how long has this engine sat without running, if greasing the pivot doesn't free up the motor. disconnect the steering cable and see if it is the motor that is stiff or the cable. being that it is a 74 cable i'm betting on a bad cable. look on the black cover and hopefully the numbers are still readable. and agree with KYHunter.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: steering really tight

Agree with the above. My steering was really tight too on this boat I just purchased but it was only 3 years old. It took a new steering cable to fix it.

If you do have to change cables, be sure and don't kink the new one. Nice, slow, sweeping bends.

Don't forget to purge your system of old gas and refill with new and 50:1 oil mix Then it wouldn't hurt to run some (read the can) Sea Foam in the gas to finish cleaning things out; after you decarb.

Mark

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: steering really tight

I recently went thru the same problem with tight steering. After determining that it was the cables ( I have 2), I disconnected them from the motor. Then loosened the large nuts that hold them in the motor. I was able to pull the cables back far enough to get the plastic extender on a can of PB Blaster in there and filed the tubes up several times while working the steering back and forth. It steers like a new boat now. I feel lucky as I would have had to pull the motor to replace them.

 

[mark2157]

Re: steering really tight

Ok I will try that. I ran sea foam, and cleand out carbs with carb cleaner. It runs much beter. I also did a compression test #1 cylinder is at like 85psi the rest right around 90. Is that normal? I am still not able to get it to steer well. I unhooked the cable from the motor and the motor moves very easily, so it must be in the cable. I am going to try spraying full of PB tomorrow. I hope that works. Thanks for all the help!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: steering really tight

if the cable doesn't free up , look on the black cover for any numbers.

 

[tschamp20]

Re: steering really tight

if you can get the cable out,do it!then use some wd40 and a 12 gauge shootgun barrel cleaning wire brush in the tilt tube that the cable runs through.hone it out real good.squirt a chunk of grease in there and reinstall cable.clean cable real good first.hope it helps,worked for me and mine was stuck.like new now.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: steering really tight

I had a Morse Cable. My boat is only 3 years old, used in fresh water, and was kept tarped or shedded. It may have sit out at the dealers prior to original purchase. I was awed that it failed so soon.

It was a 2 handed operation to turn engine with the steering wheel; motor once disconnected, turned freely. I replaced it and in doing so was curious where the problem was. I sawed it in 3 pieces with a grinder (hacksaw couldn't touch the cable outer braid).

All 3 pieces were stuck.

Mark

 

[mark2157]

Re: steering really tight

I unhooked the cable. There are metal ends on the end of the cable. There is no room to spray into the cable its self. Is there anyway to remove the metal ends or should I just bite the bullet and purchase a new cable. The cable will move, just very tight. Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: steering really tight

time to bite the bullet. get the number off the cable.

 

[KYHunter2]

Re: steering really tight

Just a reminder, you said . It has been sitting for awhile. But, never said how long.

If you don't know how long , or its been year or two of non-use.

Combined with the tendency , to crank engine dry, when looking at them . Just to be sure it will turn over.

Your water pump is a ticking time bomb .

I would DEFINATELY , Rebuild it before you use the boat/motor again.

Im sure your really wanting to get it on the water.

But if your water pump falls to pieces , your enjoyment will be short lived .

And you may end up, doing alot more expensive repairs .

Then the relatively cheap insurance of a new , properly functioning, waterpump.


Its your choice of course , but its the old pay now or pay later.

With the pay later possibly being , alot more $$$$$ :'(

Good-Luck,

KYHunter

 

[tschamp20]

Re: steering really tight

i was refering to spraying out and cleaning the tilt tube on the motor where cable passes thru.if you removed the cable and it is what is really stiff then you may want to get a new cable.,but still clean out tilt tube the grease turns into a clay and can reduce performance of steering cable.good luck

 

[ray estep]

Re: steering really tight

I just bought a boat and had it checked out at the marina they siad everything was ok. i noticed the steering was stiff and about 1.5 miles from the ramp some thing busted. i tried to steer by hand but the motor would not budge. My wife and I had to row all the way back with one orr took over two hours in the wind. My wife first comment after getting to the shore was a bad day on the boat is still better than a good day at the office. when i got home i found the grease serts with no grease on them gave them a couple squirts and within 5 minutes. it turns eazy as butter. now my problem is i don't no how to disconnect or replace the cable or steering wheel. my boat is a 1977 monark with an 85 horse evenrude.

thanks for the help
Ray and Roxy
In the Ozarks

 

[F_R]

Re: steering really tight

The tilt tube where the steering cable goes through is famous for rusting inside and the cable won't slide in and out. That is most likely the problem instead of a bad cable. As has already been mentioned several times, get the cable out and clean the rust and crud out of the tube, and relube. Lubing it should be part of your preventative maintenance before it rusts again. Unfortunatly, on a lot of boats you have to remove the engine to get the cable out. Sorry 'bout that.

 

[ray estep]

Re: steering really tight

I was able to get the steering wheel off thanks to a tip from our security guard at work. I took appart the steering mechanizem under the dash today. It looks to be in great shape. I was able to pull the cable out through the sheath. It was very difficult. Cable grease was dry and rusty in places. I am assumeing that because I was able to pull out the cable it was broken off up close to where it connects at the tilt tube. The cable and spring thing around it was frayed and rusty at the end by the motor. I have a manual on order for the motor but it won't be here for a few days. It seems that it may be posible to get to where the cable connection is by removeing this dudad at the end of the rod or tube going though the tilt tube, but I don't want to damage it by trying the wrong thing. Any info would be helpful.

R&R in the Ozarks

 

[ray estep]

Re: steering really tight

My cable had broken off inside the sheath while my wife and I were 1.5 mile from ramp. I was totally unable to move motor by hand Had to row back to ramp into wind. I'd had the marina mechanics check this boat out before I bought it. This was only the third time I'd had it out. When I got to where I could check it out I found that that the greese sertz were dry. I put two squirts of greese in each sert and it turned like butter. I wish I would have known about this sooner or the mechanic would have taken the liberty to do this himself. He sertainly was liberal with his bill. I used my basket ball goal and a come along to pull the motor. now I'm waiting to get a new cable. By the way whats pb baster and where can I get some. Also how important is marine greese for lubing the sertz and what type is recommened?

Thaks Ozarks R&R

 

[KYHunter2]

Re: steering really tight

PB Blaster is similar to liquid wrench , but IMHO, better.

Most auto parts stores carry it.

Any good marine grease is , OK.

I use omc, triple guard. But, there are others I've used , with good results.

I wouldn't use anything but marine grease on an outboard.

It is made for use where water is present.

I use the same grease on my trailer hubs.

KYHunter

 

[LORDY611]

Re: steering really tight

PB Blaster is similar to liquid wrench , but IMHO, better.

Most auto parts stores carry it.

Any good marine grease is , OK.

I use omc, triple guard. But, there are others I've used , with good results.

I wouldn't use anything but marine grease on an outboard.

It is made for use where water is present.

I use the same grease on my trailer hubs.

KYHunter

Not trying to be a smartass, but where I came from, grease and water dont mix. What is different about marine grease? And why wouldnt wheel bearing grease work on the trailer bearings? If water gets into any grease, it will emulsify with agitation. Does Marine grease lessen this liklihood?
Respectfully,
Dave