Very stiff steering, Not cable

[rj12c]

I purchased a used 1998 Mecury 150 2 stroke saltwater series 2.5 with 180 original hours. Everything works fine but the steering is soo stiff. It is not the cable it is something on the motor side. It does not have power steering. I greased every fitting that I found and moved it back and fourth plenty of times and never loosened up any. Does anyone have any idea on what it could possibly be. It is on my work barge and it needs to go to work ASAP. Thanks

 

[Dukedog]

Re: Very stiff steering, Not cable

Do tha steering cables move free through tha guide tubes and/or when disconnected from tha motor completely? If ok through tha guide tubes tha only thing left is tha swivel bracket and tiller arm. If its a salt water motor ya probably gonna have ta pull it apart, inspect, clean, add new bushing and anything else bad in tha assy................

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Very stiff steering, Not cable

There will be a grease fitting on the swivel casting. I assume you greased it? If so, there is a little trick that may work for you. The lower swivel bushing gets corroded, and there is little clearance to regrease it.

ilt the motor up all the way. Tie some rope around the transom bracket and the gearcase (under the antiventilation plate is good), and tighten the rope like a tourniquet. This will lift the motor up on the swivel rod, and may give you enough clearance to allow grease to exit the lower bushing. Pump it up good with a grease gun.


If that doesn't work, you can try some heat to melt out the old grease, and then regrease. If that fails, you need to take the motor completely apart to clean up the bushings.