Stuck Steering

[Berdink]

Just an idea. Maybe others had thought of something similar. In my searching the forums, I hadn't seen this as a suggested fix for a stuck steering shaft - the shaft that the steering rod passes through - properly known as the steering tilt tube.
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I wrapped them with clear tubing so the PB Blaster could soak and seep further into the tube.
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It was frozen stuck and a hammer wouldn't even move it. But after soaking an hour like this, I can spin the shaft some.
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I'll post back if successful or not, but it wasn't budging. And spraying PB Blaster at it wasn't doing it.

 

[redneck joe]

interesting

 

[Berdink]

I got it to pull out about an inch.
I'm going to let it soak a couple days.

 

[Chris1956]

Usually if you can rock the shift rod front to back with a pipe or monkey wrench, with penetrating oil and some rags for cleaning the dirt off, they will loosen up.

Hammering on the end will usually mushroom the end of the rod and make removal near impossible.

 

[Berdink]

Usually if you can rock the shift rod front to back with a pipe or monkey wrench, with penetrating oil and some rags for cleaning the dirt off, they will loosen up.

Hammering on the end will usually mushroom the end of the rod and make removal near impossible.

Thanks, I'll check for mushrooms, and if, I'll grind the mushroom down.

 

[Mc Tool]

I made up a pusher .

steel tube with nut ( same size as end of tilt tube thread ) welded on one end , 14mm nut welded on tother , and a bit of 14mm threaded rod long enough to push the steering shaft right thru the tilt tube . Mine was really stuck ,if I tried to rotate rod the whole tilt tube would turn .
after getting it freeI put a couple of O rings on the steering rod before fitting the tilt tube nut in an effort to keep water out ....working so far

 

[Chris1956]

There is a product that screws onto the open end of the steering rod, and seals it with an oring. Search "Steering tube cable grease nut"

https://www.ebay.com/itm/298544265090?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-167538-502585-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=298544265090&targetid=4580496748713269&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=94240&poi=&campaignid=607141308&mkgroupid=1230355044466757&rlsatarget=pla-4580496748713269&abcId=10770584&merchantid=51291&msclkid=bf5241556595100403be2be12f1371a8

 

[Chris1956]

Corroded steering rods usually only occur if they are not cleaned and lubed each season. So turn the wheel so they stick out all the way (or disconnect and pull them out), wipe them off until clean. Solvent is usually not necessary. Now grease 'em up good.

The best stuff was Mercury's Special Lube 101. It may have been discontinued. I am still using my tube from 25 years ago. Marine grease works pretty good as well.

 

[redneck joe]

this is the best grease out there...

 

[Berdink]

I'll get a picture tomorrow, but I've got it out about 2 inches so far, and it's really corroded - black rusty crap.
I'll leave it be for now, but I'll be watching marketplace for a good used replacement.

 

[Mc Tool]

When you do get it out make sure you wire brush the bejesus out of the inside of the tilt tube , flush it out and pack the grease into it to ensure the whole of the tube inner is coated ....inc the pitting . I used s stainless wire 12 bore shotgun brush ....I sure wouldnt use it on a shotgun ....pretty aggressive .

 

[redneck joe]

When you do get it out make sure you wire brush the bejesus out of the inside of the tilt tube , flush it out and pack the grease into it to ensure the whole of the tube inner is coated ....inc the pitting . I used s stainless wire 12 bore shotgun brush ....I sure wouldnt use it on a shotgun ....pretty aggressive .

I did the same. Mine wasn't stuck just while it was out for the new floor i did it. Lots of gunk in there.

 

[Chris1956]

You might source a new tilt tube, just to have another option. I have no idea if they are available for your motor.

 

[redneck joe]

You might source a new tilt tube, just to have another option. I have no idea if they are available for your motor.

a used one cant be worse ebay prob has something

 

[Berdink]

Yep, I gave up. It was just way too corroded. The thing is still stuck solid in there.

 

[Mc Tool]

FFFFFar out , thats even worse than mine . I couldnt easily find another tilt tube for my motor and being that the steering rod was stainless and thusly most likely ok I made the pusher , and with a bit of heat I got it out . It wasnt so much corroded together as jammed by the corrosion swelling up ( the steering rod cleaned up like new ) ,. I guess if you dont mind replacing the whole steering assy and the tilt tube you may as well give up and go new .....but I figure once you can move it a bit your nearly there . I just kept cleaning the muck out ( aerosol degreaser and compressed air ) and ....I won Im not big on being decked about by inanimate objects

 

[Berdink]

a used one cant be worse ebay prob has something

eBay wants $24 used. Boats.net wants $24 new. Hmm.... What should I do?

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, The OEM replacement for my Merc V6 was N/A for steel and $200+ for the SS replacement.

Just so you know, the tilt tube on my Merc V6 has two different size nuts on it. The open end is larger than the cable side. The nuts may be unique to Mercury, so I would suggest you save yours, or get new ones with the new tilt tube.

 

[Mc Tool]

eBay wants $24 used. Boats.net wants $24 new. Hmm.... What should I do?

Well send me one for a start , but yeah , doesnt take much thinkin about . I guess you could remove the tilt tube with the steering rod still in there ( I had to dismount the motor to even get the pusher in place ) and then split the tilt tube with a cut-off wheel and save the steering rod and cable .
I ordered one of those grease nut seal things Chris posted about above ( Ta Chris )

 

[Chris1956]

Yep, I gave up. It was just way too corroded. The thing is still stuck solid in there.
View attachment 420010

That steering cable may be beyond saving. I presume it is a rotary system with the cable pulled out of the helm?