1982 StarCraft Steering Issue

[justbehindit]

I have an 18' deep v which I am told at one time had a midship center console. The steering is rack and pinion, but unbelievably difficult to steer in the cold waters I use this boat in for duck hunting. I liken the steering to attempting to steer a battleship with a vice grip. I had the cables greased and that helped some but now that I've had the boat out quite a few times and it's getting colder, the steering is getting worse.

Any suggestions on what the fix could be? I can't seem to find grease fittings anywhere on the boat or the motor which is a 1982 Johnson Sea Horse.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: 1982 StarCraft Steering Issue

Remove the cable from the outboard and clean the tube out real well, they tend to get packed with age and the cold grease very stiff. I use Top grade bicycle grease in the tube when it is put back together. Old grease is the worst for stiff steering. When the cable is out run it in and out and wibe it clean then regrease it. use a light grease in the colder weather. Also at that time check to see if the motor swings free if not check the tightness on it . you may need to back it off a bit,and then regreas it .There is a zerk on the motor to grease this.

 

[Kainon]

Re: 1982 StarCraft Steering Issue

There are multiple grease fititngs on the motor.. 1-2 for the pivot of the motor and 1 for the steering tube. as a side notethe gear on the steering wheel part of things gets worn out and can be a source of play. Also the cable condition of the inside of the cable can degrade and rust and cause it to become stiff.. the first test as mention is to detach the cable from the steering tube and see if it gets better.. If you can get it out..

 

[Bob Gilvary]

Re: 1982 StarCraft Steering Issue

If you have to tap the steering rod out of the tube, use nothing harder than a brass rod.

Once you've disconnected the steering link from the cable, you can use a penetrating oil on the steering shaft/tube and work the steering wheel, to help free it up. I never try to take one out until I get it to move freely.

Your problem could also be in your rack assembly. If that's the case, I usually change them out to a rotary helm.

If you find it binding in the pivot shaft of the engine, a little heat from a propane torch might loosen up the old grease, then relube emidiately. Keep the heat away from the top and bottom of the pivot shaft, there's plastic bushing there.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 1982 StarCraft Steering Issue

All these suggestions are great. I had a problem once and I just used the process of elimination. Disconnect the cable from the engine. Can you move the engine back and forth easy? Try turning the steering wheel, does that move ok? My problem was two-fold. The steering cable was too long for the boat and had a lot of bends which binds it up. Also, not being used very often the cable had rust or something that was binding it. I had to pull it out completely and keep spraying wd-40 in it, as I kept working it in and out. You may need a new cable. Good luck. Dale