01 Merc 150 XR6 Steering is very tight

[jburke]

Hi all,
I have a 2000 Maxum 1800 with an 01 Merc 150 XR6 with a steering problem.
The steering became very difficult last year and I'm wondering what the cause may be.
Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[hkeiner]

Re: 01 Merc 150 XR6 Steering is very tight

I would suggest that you first disconnect the steering cable from the motor to see if the steering wheel is still tight. This will determine if the motor or the steering cable/steering wheel is at fault. Depending on what you find, you can further troubleshoot by doing a visual inspection of the cable for kinks or sharp bends, look for apparent corrosion, breaks, etc. In the extreme, you can replace the cable if you determine it is at fault and that lubrication does not help.

 

[jburke]

Re: 01 Merc 150 XR6 Steering is very tight

I would suggest that you first disconnect the steering cable from the motor to see if the steering wheel is still tight. This will determine if the motor or the steering cable/steering wheel is at fault. Depending on what you find, you can further troubleshoot by doing a visual inspection of the cable for kinks or sharp bends, look for apparent corrosion, breaks, etc. In the extreme, you can replace the cable if you determine it is at fault and that lubrication does not help.

Does it matter what type of steering system is installed? I have a teleflex back mount rack system if it matters....

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 01 Merc 150 XR6 Steering is very tight

The type of steering system is irrelevent. You are trying to isolate the problem to either the motor pivot or the cable moovement, either of these or both could be the stiff component.

Disconnect the steering link and see if the stiffness is in the motor, cable or both and post results.

 

[jburke]

Re: 01 Merc 150 XR6 Steering is very tight

Ok, so I disconnected at the motor and now the motor moves with ease.
Does this mean that it?s the cable or is it possible that the problem is with the shaft or piston (not sure what to call it) that the cable attaches to at the motor? How can I tell which one is the problem?

 

[trehanejox]

Re: 01 Merc 150 XR6 Steering is very tight

I had a similar problem on my mariner.

Took the teleflex cable out from the bracket and scrubbed out a load of old grease and rust. cleaned up, re greased and problem solved. I do it every year now just to keep it all free.

 

[jburke]

Re: 01 Merc 150 XR6 Steering is very tight

I had a similar problem on my mariner.

Took the teleflex cable out from the bracket and scrubbed out a load of old grease and rust. cleaned up, re greased and problem solved. I do it every year now just to keep it all free.

How do you get the cable disconnected from the hinge at the motor or from the black case at the steering wheel?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 01 Merc 150 XR6 Steering is very tight

There should be a large nut on the starboard end of the OB tilt tube. Remove this nut and the steering cable end may be pulled out of the tilt tube. At this point you may turn the steering wheel and see if the cable is bad or the cable end is corroded to the motor.

 

[jburke]

Re: 01 Merc 150 XR6 Steering is very tight

There should be a large nut on the starboard end of the OB tilt tube. Remove this nut and the steering cable end may be pulled out of the tilt tube. At this point you may turn the steering wheel and see if the cable is bad or the cable end is corroded to the motor.

Chris,
Thanks for your help.
Here are a couple of pictures. I tried taking the nuts off both sides with no sucess. What am I missing here? Damn can't upload the pics due to size.....