Steering Bracket

[apaulos]

The steering bracket on my 93 88SPL is rusting away right before me eyes. Any idea what a replace would cost? If it does break what are the consequences? Thanks!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steering Bracket

your motor could take a swim.
parts diagrams and prices here, then your or someone elses labor.

http://shop2.evinrude.com/ext/index.aspx?s1=bf6ad09c53cead335fcfd8a6471c0f7f

 

[5150abf]

Re: Steering Bracket

As always, poke around on Ebay, you may be able to find something on there.

 

[cdnfthree2]

Re: Steering Bracket

Had the exact same prob on a Merc. Yes, the motor can take a drink real quick. It's about 9 hrs labor at a shop so do it yourself!

 

[F_R]

Re: Steering Bracket

If you are talking about the steering arm that the cable link attaches to, it is more likely that YOU will take a swim when you get pitched out of the boat. Then the boat will go around in a circle and return to run over you. Don't laugh, it's happened more than I care to think about.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Steering Bracket

Take F_R's advice. This is not something to fool with. I had a swivel bracket shear at the tilt pin bosses about a month ago. The motor only stayed on the transom because it is old enough not to have a tilt tube, and I have an adapter bracket that is bolted to the transom.

When I hit a submerged object, the bracket sheared and the motor turned to starboard. The boat was about 270 degrees through a 360+ degree spin, before I was able to pull the power off. I barely managed to stay in the boat and get a hand on the throttle.

You might try www.sea-way.com for a replacement. They are a very large regional warehouse for BRP, and they have a lot of NOS OMC parts. They are also really great people to deal with. I originally bought a NOS replacement brracket from them, but it turned out to be for a 15" shaft motor. As it turned out, they didn't have the one I needed (my motor is a 1972) and they took the first one back. While I paid the return freight, there was no hassle in doing this.

I have no connection to Sea-Way, but have been really impressed with the way they do business, so I strongly recommend them.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Steering Bracket

If the steering arm is still safe/serviceable, you could remove it, remove all corrosion and paint it. After doing so, you could then install a sacrificial anode (zinc) on your cavitation plate to prevent further damage.

 

[apaulos]

Re: Steering Bracket

Thank you all for the info.

There is still plenty of steel on the arm so it will last a few more seasons. I'm going to look in the factory manual and consider pulling the power head to be able to paint it up correctly.