stiff steering

[skikman]

hi floks. i have an old [bout 80s] 50hp evinrude on the back of my 15ft speedboat.now last year the steering was a bit to stiff but i didnt bother to look at it.now this year i can hardly turn it.the steering mechanism works freely without the engine connected.i have pumped grease into the nipples but that didnt work.could anyone tell me what i should try next?

 

[fireman57]

Re: stiff steering

You say the cable moves freely without the engine hooked up. Does the engine move freely with out the cable hooked up? When you greased the fittings did you see grease ooze out of the joints?

 

[rickryder]

Re: stiff steering

Sounds like the grease is not getting to the pivot pin.... might be corroded in there.... As Fireman57 said check if you can move the engine freely without the cables.

 

[skikman]

Re: stiff steering

Sounds like the grease is not getting to the pivot pin.... might be corroded in there.... As Fireman57 said check if you can move the engine freely without the cables.

no cant move it with my hand at all.someone told me there should be a friction bolt that i could loosen but i dont know where it is.if the grease is not getting to the pivot pin how do i fix this.can i take off the nipples and pump some straight in?

 

[Sixmark]

Re: stiff steering

Your problem is not a friction bolt, the problem is that there was a issue developing due to lack of maintenance, now that we have that cleared up, you can try soaking it down in some PB blaster or equivalent, let it soak it really wel, then you can try moving it......you may only gain a 1/4" at a time and it will probably become a very time consuming process.

Keep at it until you get it freed up, continuing to lube it as you go.

Do yearly routine maintenance from now on instead of choosing to go without it and you won't have these problems.

 

[fireman57]

Re: stiff steering

The friction bolt is only on tiller handles not on remoter steering. Six is right that it will now be a time consuming process. You need to take the PB blaster and spray it in the joint, let it soak, try to move it, spray it again, let it soak.. You get the idea. When you get it to move keep putting grease in the fitting and swing the engine side to side to get the grease to get where it needs to go. My guess is once you get it to move and you have the grease in there it will free up readily. Are you sure that your grease fitting isn't clogged? If it isn't then you should be able to fill it until grease comes out the joint.

 

[Sixmark]

Re: stiff steering

If there is even the slightest doubt as to the working status of the grease fitting then replace it, cheap insurance.

 

[aeilers]

Re: stiff steering

This seems to be my issue also... I have a 1974 johnson 70hp... I disconnected the steering cables. Hard to swing the motor back and forth. I located the fitting on the shaft pumped some grease in it. Still pretty tight. I was told by the guy I bought it from that it happened to him before. the old grease hardens and causes it to tighten up.
He said it took it somewhere before and they heated a area near the fitting to release the old grease?

 

[fireman57]

Re: stiff steering

i wouldn't use heat on it because it is just cast aluminum. Lubing and working it is the best way. Just use patience and elbow grease. The only other thing I would try is using some paint thinner or another agent that will break down old hard grease and squirt it in there and work it until it moves.

 

[aeilers]

Re: stiff steering

could it be possible they used some non marine grease? Thats why its hardening up..
Is there anywhere to put grease except in that one fitting?