What do you use to lube the steering rod that goes into the tilt tube?

[dan4081]

Last year I replaced my tilt tube because the one that was on the boat didnt have any O-rings in it. This led to a constant battle with frozen steering.
After replacing the tilt tube the issue is gone, but I have noticed that the marine grease I have been using to lube the rod gets caked and hard. I usually turn the motor all the way to one side and clean off the caked grease, re-lube with new grease and then turn it back and forth a few times to 'lube' inside the tube.
Up to this point I have been using marine grease I purchased at Wal Mart I believe.

Anything better out there?

(BTW, my new tilt tube doesnt have a grease fitting on it...thats why I apply it directly to the steering rod)

Thanks in advance......

 

[pnwboat]

Re: What do you use to lube the steering rod that goes into the tilt tube?

I would switch to a different brand of Marine lube. I use Marine lube on my tilt tube but I can't remember what brand it is, but it doesn't get hard. It stays gooey.

 

[dan4081]

Re: What do you use to lube the steering rod that goes into the tilt tube?

Thanks for the reply.
Guess I'll check west marine and see what else they offer.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: What do you use to lube the steering rod that goes into the tilt tube?

I use WD 40 and then follow it with 20wt.
Then sometimes i use a spray white lithium and then follow with Wd to clean it.
Basically it's an ongoing thing.
Wd-40 to help clean the gunk off and then 20 wt to lube and the lithium to lube and then start all over again with the WD.
There's nothing I've found that will stay on and do the job.
It ALL gunks up and needs to be cleaned.
Some steering tubes are easy to clean as the steering will come out.
Mine, I have to pull the motor to get the steering out.So I make sure it stays clean.J