Hello all, I Just bought a 1996 15 ft. Tidecraft boat with a 90 Force on it. Initially I noticed the steering was real tight and was difficult to turn. About the third time I took it out, as soon as I launched it it wouldnt turn left at all. After a few minutes, it wouldnt turn right at all either, its like it locked up somehow. The steering wheel would turn each way but only about half as much as it is supposed to.
I came to the conclusion that it was the rack and pinion steering system that was to blame, as it was locked up in the motor. I was able to disassemble it from the steering wheel but have had some difficulty removing it from the motor. When I try to pull it out, it gets caught up and when i try to force it out a tubing begins to come out with it and im unsure if it is supposed to or not. Also I do not know if there is even enough room to pull it all the way out, the boat gets in the way. Ill provide pictures to help me describe what's going on.
Here is where it gets stuck trying to pull it out:
if I try to force it, this tubing comes out as well:
I dont think it is supposed to come out?
and then if I was able to get it to slide out, I think id have to cut out some of the fiberglass to make room for it to come all the way out:
So in the end, my questions are, should it slide out smoothly? if so, how?
Should that tubing be coming out as well?
Should it come out without having to cut my boat?
Well, thanks for the help in advance!
I came to the conclusion that it was the rack and pinion steering system that was to blame, as it was locked up in the motor. I was able to disassemble it from the steering wheel but have had some difficulty removing it from the motor. When I try to pull it out, it gets caught up and when i try to force it out a tubing begins to come out with it and im unsure if it is supposed to or not. Also I do not know if there is even enough room to pull it all the way out, the boat gets in the way. Ill provide pictures to help me describe what's going on.
Here is where it gets stuck trying to pull it out:
if I try to force it, this tubing comes out as well:
I dont think it is supposed to come out?
and then if I was able to get it to slide out, I think id have to cut out some of the fiberglass to make room for it to come all the way out:
So in the end, my questions are, should it slide out smoothly? if so, how?
Should that tubing be coming out as well?
Should it come out without having to cut my boat?
Well, thanks for the help in advance!