Johnson Swivel Bushings

[Miroash]

I have a 1982 90hp Johnson, (Saltwater Motor) The main swivel is very stiff and the top will not take any grease, the bottom does take grease. The more I try to work the motor back and forth the stiffer it gets and it will start to sqeal and then if I let it sit for a little while it will loosen slightly. My thoughts were that the bushing has turned and the channel the grease should go thru is not lined up with the hole (this is all a guess I have not taken it apart yet) I was going to take it apart and replace the bushings but I can not find them. Is what I am think possible, or do I just need to take it apart and clean it. The nut on the bottom looks pretty rusted and I think it may need to be cut off, but I have not looked at it yet to know for sure.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Johnson Swivel Bushings

We have had some success with that by heating the housing to get the old grease a bit "softer" and then force it out with new grease. May take a while but it may save you from taking it all apart.

 

[Miroash]

Re: Johnson Swivel Bushings

We have had some success with that by heating the housing to get the old grease a bit "softer" and then force it out with new grease. May take a while but it may save you from taking it all apart.

It appears the previous owner tried to heat it. I dont want to compromise the metal any further as I do not know how hot he got it when he heated it. and the fact that it does not take any grease (I literally blew the top off of the grease gun from the pressure) makes me think it needs to come apart. I have not tried to heat it, for the above mentioned reason and because I do not have anything to heat it with. I do not think a Plumbers propane torch will do anything.