Troubleshooting steering problem on 130 Oceanpro

[trobinson017]

This may sound like a stupid question but....I'm troubleshooting steering problems with my boat. Troubleshooting tips say to disconnect the cable steering and try turning the engine left/right by hand. Well, the engine is Johnson 130 Oceanpro, so it's large and so far I can't figure out if I should be able to turn it by hand. As it is, I can't. Some background: I have a Teleflex SafeT-Quick connect rotary steering system. The steering got really difficult, like it was binding up somewhere. It got so bad I haven't taken her out in a long time. I now have some time to resolve this. I've read the Teleflex FAQ on binding issues and followed their instructions for troubleshooting, as well as other posts on this site. I've disconnected the engine side of steering; the tiller arm end and then the entry into the tilt tube end. So the ram is completely free. I can now turn the steering wheel just fine. One test that is recommended is to try and manually turn the engine when the ram is disconnected. I can't. But, is this because it's a large, heavy engine? Or, could there be some problem on the engine side causing difficult left/right turning?

This forum has never failed me with many other engine problems. I'm confident someone can help me now.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: Troubleshooting steering problem on 130 Oceanpro

Most likely your swivel bracket need to be lubricated.
The engine has 3 grease fittings, 2 on the tilt tube, but it is one more down on the bracket that lubricates the swivel and steering shaft.
You need a grease gun, and probably a propane torch as well. Add to the 'equipment' some 2 x4 or similar to put under the fin of the gearcase.
Test first by just pumping grease into the fitting until it gets out on top and bottom. If impossible to get any grease in, unscrew the fitting and test that it is not blocked, then put back or change.
Lower the engine to almost vertical, put the 2 x 4 under the fin, and VERY careful lower just so you take the load off the swivel bracket.
Take the propane torch and start heating up the swivel bracket, but nor melt it. Try from time to time to press in grease as it gets hotter.

 

[trobinson017]

Re: Troubleshooting steering problem on 130 Oceanpro

Thanks for the tips. I should state that my boat is on a lift over the water and I don't have a maintenance platform
so I'm leaning over the transom to do all this. I found the swivel bracket grease fitting and put in a bunch of grease. It
seemed to go in okay. Since I'm leaning over the transom I can't really see where it would come "out of the top and bottom".

I think I understand what you're saying about putting a board under the fin and then heating up the swivel bracket,
but since it's on a lift I can't do that. Is it still worth trying to heat it up?

If it helps I can take a couple pictures and post them. Let me know.

Most likely your swivel bracket need to be lubricated.
The engine has 3 grease fittings, 2 on the tilt tube, but it is one more down on the bracket that lubricates the swivel and steering shaft.
You need a grease gun, and probably a propane torch as well. Add to the 'equipment' some 2 x4 or similar to put under the fin of the gearcase.
Test first by just pumping grease into the fitting until it gets out on top and bottom. If impossible to get any grease in, unscrew the fitting and test that it is not blocked, then put back or change.
Lower the engine to almost vertical, put the 2 x 4 under the fin, and VERY careful lower just so you take the load off the swivel bracket.
Take the propane torch and start heating up the swivel bracket, but nor melt it. Try from time to time to press in grease as it gets hotter.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: Troubleshooting steering problem on 130 Oceanpro

If you managed to pump in grease, the try to swing the engine a few time and pump more grease.

 

[trobinson017]

Re: Troubleshooting steering problem on 130 Oceanpro

If you managed to pump in grease, the try to swing the engine a few time and pump more grease.

I've been pumping in grease, turning it left/right often, more grease, more turning, for the past 2 days. It "seems" to be a bit easier but still takes some effort. I've sprayed CRC 656 lube into the upper and lower swivel bracket joints and also pumped some grease into the joints as best I could. I was hoping the hot sun would help melt the grease around the joints so it would seep in.

You mentioned previously about heating up the bracket with a propane torch. I think I get it now that I've been working on the unit.
So, would I just fire up the torch and move it up and down the bracket to loosen the grease and maybe expand those two joints to allow the surface grease to seep in? Now that I know it's not the steering unit and actually is the motor I'm getting desparate to resolve this. I can't afford much, and certainly not a new motor!

Thanks for all your help!!

Trob

 

[Haffiman]

Re: Troubleshooting steering problem on 130 Oceanpro

Heating up might help the grease creep where it should be. A bit tedious work unless you want to pull it all apart, which is quite a big job!
Patience is the word here. If loose enough to use the steering wheel, launching and going for a ride might work to.