Jump to content

Urgent help!


garfield28

Recommended Posts

Seized Steering Cacle. Sometimes if you can start moving it by getting someone to push the motor while trying to turn the wheel the same way. If you can get some movement you need to keep working it back and forth to free it up. While pumping some grease in the nipple at the motor end. But more often than not you will have to replace the cable which is the safest option as you dont want to lose steering on the water.

Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The main or perhaps the most common problem is that the greese between the shaft & sleve has gone hard..

Raise & lower the motor several times , this should twist the shaft sufficent for it to be extendard.

As Dfishin said ," if you can start moving it by getting someone to push the motor while trying to turn the wheel the same way"

If it becomes free , extend the tube as far as possible & remove all the old greese. Undo the large nut at the end of the sleve & slide the nut & O ring to the end of the shaft.

Repeat cleaning the tube by winding it in then out each time washing with degreser , kero etc. until the tube comes out clean.

Apply oil to the tube winding it in & out several times each time applying more oil.

Once you satisfied that the tube is clean & well lubricated with oil turn the motor so the tube is fully contracted into the tube then replace the O ring & nut.

If this fails then it's off to a marine dealer to either try & to loosen up the shaft with heat or a full replacement.

What ever the outcome move the stearing every 3 - 4 weeks to prevent a reoccurance

Geoff

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The main or perhaps the most common problem is that the greese between the shaft & sleve has gone hard..

Raise & lower the motor several times , this should twist the shaft sufficent for it to be extendard.

As Dfishin said ," if you can start moving it by getting someone to push the motor while trying to turn the wheel the same way"

If it becomes free , extend the tube as far as possible & remove all the old greese. Undo the large nut at the end of the sleve & slide the nut & O ring to the end of the shaft.

Repeat cleaning the tube by winding it in then out each time washing with degreser , kero etc. until the tube comes out clean.

Apply oil to the tube winding it in & out several times each time applying more oil.

Once you satisfied that the tube is clean & well lubricated with oil turn the motor so the tube is fully contracted into the tube then replace the O ring & nut.

If this fails then it's off to a marine dealer to either try & to loosen up the shaft with heat or a full replacement.

What ever the outcome move the stearing every 3 - 4 weeks to prevent a reoccurance

Geoff

Thanks Geoff.... been bloody caught out I have.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Geoff

I think it is easy. post back if you want some pointers where to start.

Dave

If you don't mind mate please.

I just called the mechanic and he said I'd be looking at around $500 to have it replaced... f@ck me!! It's no wonder people don't own boats.

I just tried again to tilt the motor, shake it, I took the nut off the arm thingy and gave the end a tap with the hammer and it still won't budge.

post-32204-0-46537700-1411183629_thumb.jpg

Edited by garfield28
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had tight steering and wasted hours and hours trying to do it my self. YouTube tutorials and all sorts. Gave up in the end. Got a quote for 500 from one dealer so shopped around and it came in at 350. That's over 100 for the parts.

Personally I was happy to pay a skilled guy a couple if hours for his expertise.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you don't mind mate please.

I just called the mechanic and he said I'd be looking at around $500 to have it replaced... f@ck me!! It's no wonder people don't own boats.

I just tried again to tilt the motor, shake it, I took the nut off the arm thingy and gave the end a tap with the hammer and it still won't budge.

They can get stuck pretty hard. You may have to give it some heavy blows. Clean out the inside of the tube after you take the rod all the way out.

Check the motor and cable move freely on their own. If not then you have to look further into the problem.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Also, if after you remove the rod, the steering and cable move freely there is no need to replace the cable. Just clean and lube the tube and put it back.

Get someone to put some pressure on the steering wheel while you tap the rod will help. Don't turn it overly hard or you will damage other stuff.

Edited by Roylo
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It might be that sleeve that is seized but personally i think it will be the cable. Undo the small lock nut and take off the arm that returns back to the motor. Undo that big nut back towards the engine mount. see if you can pull the cable/ arm out. if you can then its not seized there. once you get it out of there try turning the steering wheel. If it still wont move it will be the cable. If your not confident maybe give it a miss would probably be the right thing for me to say. But I think its a good idea to know how these things work. worst case you pull it apart you will get someone to put it back together for you if you cant if you dont lose parts.

Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Aussie007

depends how bad it is a mate of mine just hammered his untill it came loose, i had one a couple of years ago the steering cable was well and truely stuck inside the tilt tube after the engine was submerged and left for months a shop recommended it be pressed out, but if yours only just seized u should be able to get it out with heat

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"I just tried again to tilt the motor, shake it, I took the nut off the arm thingy and gave the end a tap with the hammer and it still won't budge."

Firstly , let me say , replacing the whole unit is a last resort.

What happened when you tilted the motor , something must have moved or twisted.

Unless you have signs of rust the issue is the greese has gone hard. I mentioned previously , applying a small amount of heat , not enough to burn the paint om the motor bracket but enough to soften the grease should free it up.

The other option is to remove the bolt connecting the motor arm to the shaft. Using a pair of stilsons or vice grips try to twist the shaft however , great care is needed not to burr the shaft.

You might like to give Huey a call , I think he would see this problem quite frequently & would know the different options available prior to replacing the whole steering.

Geoff

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Another tip I have done before.

After removing the cable end from the engine, I found my steering cable was jammed. I knew more than likely the problem had to be at the end near the nut as this is where salt water and junk can get in.

Using a drill bit the same size as a WD-40 straw I carefully drilled a tiny hole into the outer cable covering through to the inner cable a few inches from the end. Gave it some good squirts directly into it and the cable came good as a new one.

Covered up the little hole with a dot of oil resistant sealant and saved me replacing the whole cable :biggrinthumb:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"I just tried again to tilt the motor, shake it, I took the nut off the arm thingy and gave the end a tap with the hammer and it still won't budge."

Firstly , let me say , replacing the whole unit is a last resort.

What happened when you tilted the motor , something must have moved or twisted.

Unless you have signs of rust the issue is the greese has gone hard. I mentioned previously , applying a small amount of heat , not enough to burn the paint om the motor bracket but enough to soften the grease should free it up.

The other option is to remove the bolt connecting the motor arm to the shaft. Using a pair of stilsons or vice grips try to twist the shaft however , great care is needed not to burr the shaft.

You might like to give Huey a call , I think he would see this problem quite frequently & would know the different options available prior to replacing the whole steering.

Geoff

When I tilted it it made a few cracking noises but still didn't free up.

I've tapped it with a rubber mallet and it just won't bloody budge.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

"When I tilted it it made a few cracking noises"

Up untill now we have been assuming the shaft is stuck due to dried grease. From your comment & looking at the pic's I suggest the problem is that there is no lubricant inside the sleve which is causing it to stick.

The thing is , to now get some lubricant inside the tube.

I've not done this so not sure if it will work , but if you remove the nuts from each end where the tube passes through the motor hinge then slide out the tube / shaft , place it in a vertical position then apply over a day or so WD40 or Inox onto the shaft allowing the lubricant to run down & into the sleve . Perhaps this will be sufficent to get it moving.

Applying some heat may also be benificial

Geoff

Edited by Geoff
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've tapped it with a rubber mallet and it just won't bloody budge.

Mate forget the rubber mallet. Get someone to put some pressure on the steering wheel, put a lump of hardwood over the end and whack it with a good lump hammer.

If your not comfortable doing it maybe take it to a shop for them to do for you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey all,

All fixed :banana:

I'd like to thank you all for your help and comments of advice to this thread I really appreciate it more than you know.

Thanks heaps especially to Frank S who allowed me to take the boat to his house and he spent a couple of hours on it and fixed it for me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The last time my cable started seizing up I removed the cable from the the steering box and used a plastic bottle top as a funnel and sealed it around the cable with bluetack and filled it with silicon oil over night until the oil was leaking out the motor end. Runs like brand new and has been perfect for about 3 years.

post-19015-14118578698345_thumb.jpg

Edited by GaryO
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...