50 evinrude steeringf stuck wont budge!!!

Steering is locked up. removed control arm motor swings freely. pulled cable wheel turns cable goes in and out. Where do I go next?

Re: 50 evinrude steeringf stuck wont budge!!!

I have a 48 special. Have the same problem from time to time. If yours is the same problem as mine, then the issue is the housing that the steering cable runs through in front of the motor. There are grease fittings there. I have found that when frozen, I tap the end of the control arm that feeds into the housing with a rubber mallet. This will slowly begin to move the stainless steel arm which I have coated with some 30 weight oil. I run it in and out until well lubed. Probably not a long term solution, but it works fine for a week or so. I then give it a bit more 30 weight and run it in and out. The lube I put into the grease fittings seems to dry out in there and actually contribute to the clogging. Probably the wrong stuff. Someone else may know more about it, but once you tap the arm and get it moving... it usually frees right up. I have a digital picture of the assembly if you need it. Hope this helps....

Re: 50 evinrude steeringf stuck wont budge!!!

Well....Gil...if the grease fittings you talked about are the two on the tilt bracket through which the tilt tube goes through, then putting grease in them won't help. These grease fittings don't go into the tilt tube. The just lube the area around the tilt tube. <br /><br />Best thing to do is pull the steering ram from the tube. Most times this involves lifting the engine from the transom. But you must get the steering ram out. After you get it out, try the steering wheel and see if it moves freely. If not, replace the cable.<br /><br />If it does move freely, clean the tube out with a wire brush. And I mean clean it out. Wipe all the dirt and gung from the steering ram and make sure it's clean. Before reassembly, coat the ram with a good grease that won't fade out as you use the engine. I suggest a steering boot which fits over the end of the ram where it comes out of the tilt tube. This will help keep out dirt and moisture. You can find them in iboats store.<br /><br />Again, if there is any doubt about the steering cable being free, replace it.

Re: 50 evinrude steeringf stuck wont budge!!!

Yep. I was greasing the tilt bracket. No wonder it never helped! I will look up this steering boot you spoke of. Sounds like the thing to do. I am sure the steering ram is quite fouled. Dry thick grease type material breaks loose after I put some oil on the ram. I wipe it off and lube it again until very little junk comes out. The steering cable seems very good. Checked it out earlier. I think that a failing steering cable has contributed to more than a few boating fatalities. Very important item.

Re: 50 evinrude steeringf stuck wont budge!!!

thanks guys that should get me going again

Re: 50 evinrude steeringf stuck wont budge!!!

Redrunner if you can't find the boot, something I have done is put silicone caulking on the outside end of the cable and then wrapped with electrical tape. This has worked for over 20 years on mine. Keeps the water and crud out of the cable.