Stiff steering?

[duff]

Ok I am not sure if this is the right forum but it is not outboard question directly.

I need to find a replacement for my helm on my 1998 Hawk super 1900 bass boat.

it has a 200 merc EFI (1999)

The steering is very stiff and I noticed the HELM is cracked.

1) can the cracked HELM cause the stiff steering.
2) while searching for the replacement helm found this part # 3950210 on the helm, seems to be for OMC not merc could this be the stiffness?
3) any advice for this problem or how to determain what the cause it with out replacing the whole system (yet)

Thanks for the help, Glad to be back on iboats after a long break!

Duff

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Stiff steering?

Have you greased and maintained al your movable parts??

 

[meals on reelsjello2]

Re: Stiff steering?

if not pull the cable out and grease the s*** out ove it and remember to much grease is better than no grease...LOL

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Stiff steering?

disconnect at the front of the motor, now determine with is stiff. motor or cable. may need to remove cable from tilt tube, and clean and grease.

 

[duff]

Re: Stiff steering?

sorry as for the maintenance on the steering I just got the boat and that is one thing that was unclear. I plan to disconnect the tubes and see if it is the cables or motor if it is motor what do I do and if it is not motor just clean and re-lube cables?

thanks again for the help!

duff

 

[meals on reelsjello2]

Re: Stiff steering?

check every moving part from the stearing hub behind the wheel to the pivot on the motor and it probably wouldnt hurt to pull the cable out of the sheath and lube the whole thing eather ..if there is rust on the cable when you pull it out make sure to brush it off

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Stiff steering?

At least with my steering cable problems, no amount of greasing would have helped.

The steering cable wire that does the business runs in a stationary a plastic sheath. The sheath has steel cables wrapped around it to form a armor layer. There is an outer plastic cover to seal all of this. However, over time, water can migrate past the outer cover. The steel wrapping can rust. The rust expands and forces the sheath against the cable wire. This clamps the steering wire much as a disk brake.
the only solution is to replace.

 

[duff]

Re: Stiff steering?

OK disconnected the cables today the OB is very easy to move the rods (end of cables) that run through the tubes on the OB are covered in old grease. my plan is to get some WD-40 or brake cleaner and start cleaning those rods then re-grease.

what should I use to clean the rods? (WD40 or Brake cleaner)
how often should I do maintenance on the cables to prevent this from happening?

thanks for the advice to this point.

duff

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Stiff steering?

You could try some PB Blaster to get in deep in all the tiniest crevices and let soak in over night, then grease all your fittings, find all the grease gun fittings on the whole drive too grease every fittings you can find and grease em. you should be good to go the rest of this season, then in spring do it all again to get her ready for next season too.

 

[meals on reelsjello2]

Re: Stiff steering?

my thoughts exactly......mine is esayer though i can pull the cable out of my sheth....much easyer

 

[duff]

Re: Stiff steering?

OK I have replaced the helm as it was cracked. relubed the tubes on the motor and the steering is still a bit stiff. I have disconnected the cables from the motor and motor turns easy. Just placed a new helm so new cables would (should) make it all better right?

thanks again for your help

duff