Steering Service

[Reifwj]

Ok, up front I know nothing about steering. Always had tiller motors...

I beilieve my 1962 Riviera with 1964 40hp Seahorse has a rack and pinion based on my reading. I have a long tube that has a rod that moves inside it from the left to right when I turn the wheel. It has a singel cable coming off of it that moves a iron rod to turn the boat. On the back side, it looks as though some type of lubricant used to be in there and has bled out. It is squeaking behind the wheel and I figured I should look at servicing it. Does anyone have any guidance on servicing this type of steering system.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Steering Service

If you can remove the rack from the helm you should be able to easily grease it with white lithium grease. Should be 4 bolts holding it on.

 

[mikesea]

Re: Steering Service

If it is rack and pinion,which it sounds like,you have a gear on the backside of the wheel ,the cable has a gear as well.As for the lube,I think its nothing more the a grease they put on at assembly,they arent really built as a take apart ,regrease ,or is there a grease fitting.However,you might be able to drill ,tap and install a grease fitting.There are alot of nice systems out there these days.I like the no feedback system,it has a couple gears that make ease of turning ,but better,it stops to old torque pull .Your system is likely an upgrade over the years,back in the 60's it was cable wrapped around a spool.It might be time to upgrade if its questionable.Its not fun losing steering.