Mercury 70hp - Steering Question

[TheBish]

I have a Mercury 70hp outboard attached to my Simms Super Vee Speedboat.

The steering cables appear to be in good condition and functioning.

Unfortunately, the engine does not move to port or starboard when I turn the wheel.

It is almost as if the engine is locked in place.

Does anyone know if there is some sort of locking pin that I need to release?

Also, does anyone know where I could download a user manual?

Thanks in anticpation of any advice that can be offered.

The Bish

[Chris1956]

Bish, The motor should swivel on two bushings. If you cannot swivel the motor by hand (steering cable disconnected), those bushings are likely corroded and frozen. You can try some penetrating oil or heat on the bushings, and see if it will loosen up, or disassemble the motor (remove powerhead and lower unit), and clean 'em up.

If you have a single push/pull steering cable, you will need to unbolt it from the motor and then try to swivel the motor.

[TheBish]

Many thanks for your swift and helpful response Captain Chris. Been scratching my head all afternoon looking for a locking nut!

[Don S]

What year is it?

[TheBish]

Not exactly sure about the year. I reckon it is about 10 years old.

[Don S]

Well, if it's between an 87 and 93, you are going to need Mercury service manual #90-13645--2. Merc didn't make a 70hp 3cyl after that, it changed to a 75.
Might try ebay or your local Merc dealer to get one.
The owners manual won't help with the steering.

One question, when you turn the wheel, does the rod on the end of the steering cable that goes thru the aluminum tube move?
You may just have a broken steering cable, or faulty helm. The motor bushings may be fine.

To check your steering, in the diagram below, remove the nut from the link rod where shown, and remove the link rod from the cable end. Then see if the motor will move back and forth.
Also try the steering and see if the rod moves inside the motor tube.

[TheBish]

Dear Don,

Thank you for your advice thus far, it is very much appreciatd.

When I turn the wheel the steering cable does come under tension, all the way to the engine, but the plate that goes into the engine is stuck solid and will not move at all.

The engine itself has a little give into it, left and right but does not freely move.

My steering is different to your diagram as my steering cables have two pulleys by the engine that attach to a metal plate that goes into the engine. It is this that does not move at all.

Apologies for the very 'un' technicl language,I am very much a novice.

Also the engine is a two stroke.

Many thanks.

The Bish