Steersman for BF130?

[cp]

Anyone replace the port side tilt tube nut on a BF130 with a 'Steersman Steering Guard'? This is a nut with a zerk grease fitting in it to facilitate lubricating the end of the steering cable where it runs inside the tilt tube of the outboard. I'm looking for actual experience (not opinion) 'cause I don't want to waste $$ on the wrong part .<br /><br />If yes, please tell me what size 'Steersman' fits on a BF130, and where did you get it from?<br /><br />I'm looking specifically for one that'll fit a BF130. Honda makes an equivalent to the 'Steersman' but it's for 7/8" tilt tubes and when I took the original port tilt tube nut to my Honda dealer, he determined the Honda nut with the zerk was too small. Seems the BF130 has a unique size tilt tube. I've seen some 1" 'Steersman's on the Web, but am not sure if that's the correct size, hence this request for help.<br /><br />Thanks in advance.

 

[cp]

Re: Steersman for BF130?

To answer my own question, but also to provide info for any out there also contemplating installation of a tilt tube nut with a grease fitting (to help prevent the steering cable from seizing up inside the tilt tube)...yes, the 1" size is the correct size. I recently installed one and it fits and works well.

 

[BF130]

Re: Steersman for BF130?

Hey, thanks for the update. Are you putting actual 'grease' in there or some other thin lubricating oil. My experience has been that, over time, the lubricating qualities of grease will evaporate and leave you with sludge on the tubes - actually causing them to stick.

 

[cp]

Re: Steersman for BF130?

I don't have long experience with the steersman nut, having just recently installed it, but maybe the concern you raise did wander subconsciously through my head because my conscious intent is to use a corrosion block grease and periodically squirt some corrosion block liquid in there. Just figured that the liquid might more easily 'get around' in there and help stave off corrosion. Plus using a grease and a liquid from the same company would theoretically mean they'd be compatible and maybe keep the grease from 'drying out'.<br /><br />A couple of friends have had the 7/8" steersman type nut on their boat motors for years and never had any problems such as you describe, but thanks for bringing the concern to my conscious thoughts; I'll be on the lookout to make sure something like that doesn't "bite me" and hopefully squirting the liquid in there will help.<br /><br />Thanks again.