Steering tube rust

[fishcamp01]

The steering tube of my 98 Yamaha 75 has been rusty since I bought it new. Upon the first sign of rust I called Yamaha and they said they do not cover that under warranty. I paid the dealer $125 to ream the tube and install a stainless grease nut on the tube which I keep greased. The grease that comes out of the tube is still very rusty causing stains all over the transom and motor. Has anyone else had this trouble with thier Yamaha and do you have any ideas how to fix it without replacing everything.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Steering tube rust

This may sound kinda silly,Fishcamp, but try making up a wire you can bolt-onto the grease nut, or under the grease fitting on the tube. The other end would bolt-onto the negative battery terminal as close to the engine as practicle. I'm thinkin "dissimular metals" here. You might want to make a jumper with battery clips on both ends,to use as a temp,just to test this theory, before making any permanent jumper.<br />It's not uncommon for these tubes to rust-up, and it's the number one cause of steering siezures (as posted here)..But if you grease it after every trip,cycle the steering (right/left a few times), and then wipe off the excess, it should never have a chance to rust-up. <br />You are doing the right thing now,tho,in dealing with these minor annoyances dockside, as opposed to having a major failure underway. Good job, skipper.

 

[Trent]

Re: Steering tube rust

Buy a steering tube hone..And clean it out every year and regrease. Is this a saltwater boat??

 

[fishcamp01]

Re: Steering tube rust

The boat is saltwater only. The problem with trying to ream it out every year is that it requires the motor to be taken off to get the steering cable out which is more than I think I should mess with myself.

 

[Trent]

Re: Steering tube rust

With a lift its no problem. If that cable gets stuck in the tube you have a real pain in the butt then!!!