Where to hook up drag link 77 Johnson 85 horse?

[MRneatfreak]

Got this boat 3 weeks ago the steering was siezed up, but the cable was removed from the tilt tube. Today I installed a new rack and pinion helm and cable. There was a bolt in the steering arm threaded from the bottom on the edge of the arm. I had some binding when going to the starboard side with the draglink underneath? I assume the drag link is supposed to be on top but the bolt won't thread in straight from the top as it interferes with the front of the engine cowling? Wrong bolt, too long?

Confused on the drag link position on the engine steering arm either top or bottom, also is the bolt head supposed to sandwhich the draglink to the steering arm? Is the single engine setup supposed to use the inboard hole on the steering arm?

 

[MRneatfreak]

Re: Where to hook up drag link 77 Johnson 85 horse?

Ok from trial and error I see that the drag link goes on top of the steering arm, in the inboard hole. I had to pry up on the lower engine cowling. I fed a long bolt up through the bottom (couldn't find a short enough bolt to start from the top) and secured the drag link to the arm with another nut on top. It still binds a little to the starboard side when turning, and it didn't do it without the cable connected? It is secure. Should be ok until I can get a short bolt for the job right?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Where to hook up drag link 77 Johnson 85 horse?

When I needed one for my old Johnson I was able to find one easily on ebay by searching for "steering link bar".

Possibly helpful pics http://www.inkbox.net/whaler/parts/steering-arm.jpg
Without steering tube, utilizing clamp block http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/8_CamoWhaler13Transom.jpg

 

[BonairII]

Re: Where to hook up drag link 77 Johnson 85 horse?

'The second link isn't working

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Where to hook up drag link 77 Johnson 85 horse?

Fixed.