Mechanical Steering locked

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Challenge
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Mechanical Steering locked

#1

Post by Challenge »

Hi All,

Second spring in a row my steering is locked, Last year it was in the tilt tube, I guess I didn't grease it enough or maybe next fall I will take it all apart b4 winter. :banghead:

Last year I just wacked it loose and then cleaned and greased it. Any easier ways to get it freed up? also do the steersman nuts (w/a grease zerk) work? http://www.steersman.com/html/whatitdoes.html


I have seen on line that it is a trait w/some merc tilt tubes and a bad o ring letting in salt water.

Thanks as always

Rick
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welder
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Re: Mechanical Steering locked

#2

Post by welder »

On my old merc I had, I stopped using there merc grease and went with regular blue wheel bearing grease because the merc grease would get hard and lock up my old cable steering. Never had another problem after changing brands.
Lester,
PacificV2325, Honda BF225
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Re: Mechanical Steering locked

#3

Post by Challenge »

Can I use heat to free it??? or will that just screw things up? :shocked:
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Sabs28
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Re: Mechanical Steering locked

#4

Post by Sabs28 »

I am not sure heat is a good idea, there are rubber "o-rings" on both ends of the tube, which are supposed to keep all the "outside items" out of the steering rod. I had that problem on my 90HP Merc a few years back. I took the big nut off one end & WD-40'd the snot out of it. The rubber o-ring got a little dry & started to pinch the steering shaft that runs through the tilt bracket causing it to steer hard. Has worked fine for 2 years so far & steers with very little effort. And yes I do take my boat in salt water.
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21ftcc
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Re: Mechanical Steering locked

#5

Post by 21ftcc »

You will have to clean the cable - rod and tilt tube. Here is a good link to what I did. I also added a steersman to one end because part of the thread on the other end of the tilt tube was cut off for the cable nut. I would not use grease but gear box lube like the purple stuff.

http://www.brushyland.com/fishing/steering.htm
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JETTYWOLF
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Re: Mechanical Steering locked

#6

Post by JETTYWOLF »

Two steering problems in the same week..........I guess we can assume it's finally fishing/boating time up yonder.

Locked mechanical steering requires just a BFH. :hammer:

CC'mon :rotfl:
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Re: Mechanical Steering locked

#7

Post by Challenge »

Jetty your responses make me smile!!! :clap: I've been hitting it but, I can't quite get the correct angle!
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Re: Mechanical Steering locked

#8

Post by welder »

Pull that mechanical out , call UFlex [ www.uflexusa.com ] and put a Hyd system in her .
Lester,
PacificV2325, Honda BF225
2386
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