Tilt Tube

[brielly]

Ive come to the conclusion that my frozen steering cable (in tilt tube) will not come out. Ive tried heat, pb blaster etc and beat the crap out of it but its not budging. I'm going to cut the cable on the port side shorter so I can can a better wack at it with a hammer and punch, but if this doesn't work I'm wondering if i can cut both sides of the cable and remove the tilt tube complete with whats left of the frozen cable. I'm wondering if its possible to slowly remove the old tilt tube while inserting the new one. Is this possible? How is the tilt tube installed? Is the whole thing threaded or just the ends. I'm guessing just the ends are threaded and its tapped into place? Will this method work or will I hve to remove the engine?
Thanks

 

[HONKER1]

Re: Tilt Tube

I removed my tilt tube while sliding the new one in at the same time. I steadied the motor while my wife slowly tapped the new tube in with a block of wood and hammer. No problems, but I was only dealing with a 8hp motor. Good luck.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Tilt Tube

You may be able to insert a new tilt tube while removing the old one. I would not chance it since the entire engine may fall off. Park the boat with the motor directly under the garage door header. Now crank a 1/2" lag bolt into the header on the inside and hang a rope or chain from the lag bolt and attach it to the motor's flywheel or block. Now the motor will not fall off.

BTW - Most tilt tubes are a piece of pipe with threads on each end. A large nut on each end keeps them in place.

 

[brielly]

Re: Tilt Tube

I got the cable out today by cutting it on both sides and wacking it out with a hammer and punch. The inside of the tilt tube looks pretty good and should clean up nicely.