80 hp Mercury Lower Steering Pivot Slop

[Rod Holder]

Hi,
I'm looking at a boat with a late 80's Mercury 80hp. While checking things out, I pulled back on the lower unit (with motor in full down position)and I could see that the lower steering pivot point is sloppy.

Is this a major job to deal with ? Any idea how many HRS a shop would charge ? I could probably do it but would like to know if there are any pain in the rear stuff that I should know about.

Any advice mucho appreciated !

RH

[Scaaty]

Hi,
I'm looking at a boat with a late 80's Mercury 80hp. While checking things out, I pulled back on the lower unit (with motor in full down position)and I could see that the lower steering pivot point is sloppy.

Is this a major job to deal with ? Any idea how many HRS a shop would charge ? I could probably do it but would like to know if there are any pain in the rear stuff that I should know about.

Any advice mucho appreciated !

RH

Walk away if you are not ready pull the whole motor down. My Merc Guru has a deal with a M/S to line bore just about ever old inline he finds and rebuilds, and press new bushings...they are either froze up into one piece (usually salt), or so sloppy, steering, waves. prop torgue.....uuuggghhh...all ya do is swat the wheel B+F..
..more than a slight tug and just a touch of play OK...make sure its not a busted motor mount too..common..

[Rod Holder]

Thanks Scatty,
I think you are referring to the tilt pivot area ?

The problem on this one is down at the lower steering pivot location. This is right next to where the shift rod "emerges" from the lower unit. It appears to be a pivot arrangement similar to a bicycle steering post setup.

Are these a real bugger to repair once saltwater corosion has caused it to become loose ?

RH

[Chris1956]

RH, The play is either in the lower yoke, the lower bushing, the lower motor mount, or some combo of all three. If you drop the LU and pull off the motor mount nuts, you may replace the motor mounts and yoke. That is a relatively easy fix. The lower bushing is a real PIA.