Steering froze on 86 mercruiser

[Big.wet.will]

Hey guys. My steering froze up at the end of last season. Started to stick a little mid season but would work. Now it won't budge. It's not power steering. There is a flat bar with an internal bar that slides back and forth with a housing that the cable goes to behind the dash. I disconnected the cable at the transom and the lower unit moves freely. I took the plastic caps of the bar behind The dash and sprayed PB blaster in the ends and tapped on the internal bar with a chisel and hammer and it didn't help. This is my first boat so I'm not sure of technical terms. Sorry. Can anyone help? Please..?

[Don S]

Most likely problem is the cable being frozen in the aluminum tube where it attaches to the inner transom plate. Remove the cable, clean the tube, lube it up and see how it works.

[Big.wet.will]

Most likely problem is the cable being frozen in the aluminum tube where it attaches to the inner transom plate. Remove the cable, clean the tube, lube it up and see how it works.

Thanks Don! I'll give that a try.

[Bond-o]

Thanks Don! I'll give that a try.

Ayuh,.... If that don't work, replace the cable, 'n helm as a kit...