1998 Merc 150 Stiff Steering

[tablerockboater]

Not being a marine mechanic, I will probably not say this articulately.

The steering on my Merc 150 OB steering is stiff, and as part of routine maintenance, I ask my "dealer" to clean the old grease out and re-lube it, like I've seen on the Internet.

Like this:

But, and again I won't say this properly, he said they can't do that on these older mechanical cable systems because they can't shoot grease in under high pressure (or something like that) without ruining it.

So, what do you think?

PS: I found this wording on The Hull Truth, which is what I thought they would do:

Watch for crusty build-up and uneven greasing, it will be evident on the steering shaft that moves in and out of the tube. Every now and then you have to get in there and clean it out a bit.

 

[ahicks]

That video just shows one of the places that can cause stiff steering. The better plan might be to have him do some preliminary trouble shooting and get back to you with an estimate.

Don't be real surprised if the area being cleaned in your video has nothing to do with your actual problem. An issue with the steering cable itself is more likely.

Regarding the "high pressure thing", you and the guy you were speaking with are on different pages. Clearly the cleaning done in the video requires no high pressure. He was thinking of trying to lube the cable itself, within the jacket leading up to the steering wheel. Thinking of the same likely problem I am.... Best of luck! -Al

.

 

[tablerockboater]

That video just shows one of the places that can cause stiff steering. The better plan might be to have him do some preliminary trouble shooting and get back to you with an estimate.

Don't be real surprised if the area being cleaned in your video has nothing to do with your actual problem. An issue with the steering cable itself is more likely.

Regarding the "high pressure thing", you and the guy you were speaking with are on different pages. Clearly the cleaning done in the video requires no high pressure. He was thinking of trying to lube the cable itself, within the jacket leading up to the steering wheel. Thinking of the same likely problem I am.... Best of luck! -Al

.

I agree we were on different pages.

Had I had the proper wording handy when I took it in for service, I would have said that I want them to pull the steering rod out of the tube, clean the old grease off the rod and out of the tube, and apply new grease.

An issue I had in trying to do that myself is the videos I see on the Internet have the steering rod attached at one end of the tube, and it pulls out that way, and my tube is closed at both ends, which my mechanic called a dual something (I didn't catch what he said). Maybe "dual cable".

Anyway, I'm fairly certain that's where the bind is . . . the old grease in the steering tube on the front of the OB.

The short of it is, he was saying there's nothing they can do except install a hydraulic system.

I did not anticipate it being an issue since my Florida mechanic had no problem freeing the steering on our older Florida boat. I just figured it was something that can be done, just like all the videos on the internet.

 

[tablerockboater]

Here's another video cleaning and greasing the steering tube and rod:

 

[ahicks]

Pretty familiar with that process.

If nothing else, you can start there, and while you have it apart for cleaning, turn the steering wheel. If it's not turning freely at that point, as in easily able to turn with one finger, all the cleaning in the world done in the area of your current focus isn't going to help a thing....

 

[tablerockboater]

Pretty familiar with that process.

If nothing else, you can start there, and while you have it apart for cleaning, turn the steering wheel. If it's not turning freely at that point, as in easily able to turn with one finger, all the cleaning in the world done in the area of your current focus isn't going to help a thing....

Agree.

There are two steering tubes on my OB. But, they are configured just like the single-tube ones on the videos. I don't understand why you cannot pull those rods out, clean them and the tubes, grease and reassemble. unless we were just not communicating.

I am waiting a call from the mechanic because if they can do it, I need to take it back in rather than put it back on the lift.

 

[ahicks]

Rust and internal wear generally make pulling that inside cable not practical.

Not familiar with the dual cable you are talking about (I've never worked on one), but generally speaking steering cables are not that expensive to replace. I'm thinking less than 150 for the part, so that would make messing with them to much not so practical from a labor standpoint.

 

[tablerockboater]

Maybe just miscommunicating again, but I am not concerned about "cables".

What I am talking about is the steering "rods" inside the steering "tubes" on the front of the OB.

Everywhere I look on the internet where it is talking about routine steering maintenance, it says to pull those rods out every couple of years, clean them and the inside of the tubes, and add new grease.

I don't see why mine can't be done . . . unless it's miscommunication.

Not very likely, but as you turn the steering at the helm, more, and less, of the steering rods come out of the end of the tube, and I'm thinking it would help at least a little to put lube on what you can get it on, but that is not not the design. The design is to grease the rod within the tube, with the seals at both ends holding it in.

 

[tablerockboater]

This is how mine is. One appears to be the Tilt Tube and one appears to be the Steering Tube. That brush is designed for cleaning the inside of the tube, but I've shotgun brushes and cleaning pads and rolled up sandpaper on flexible cable used for that, too.

Also, it does not appear that they greased the zert on the on my tilt, which I would think should do during routine maintenance.

I did have "trim" maintenance on the list.

 

[ahicks]

Maybe just miscommunicating again, but I am not concerned about "cables".

What I am talking about is the steering "rods" inside the steering "tubes" on the front of the OB.

Everywhere I look on the internet where it is talking about routine steering maintenance, it says to pull those rods out every couple of years, clean them and the inside of the tubes, and add new grease.

I don't see why mine can't be done . . . unless it's miscommunication.

Not very likely, but as you turn the steering at the helm, more, and less, of the steering rods come out of the end of the tube, and I'm thinking it would help at least a little to put lube on what you can get it on, but that is not not the design. The design is to grease the rod within the tube, with the seals at both ends holding it in.

OK, I see the dual setup. I get what you are talking about.

I'll be the last to disagree with the idea of doing maintenance here. Highly endorse it actually. My point was regarding proper diagnosis of a "stiff steering" issue, and the likelihood of finding it here. Not impossible, but not likely in my experience. As mentioned, pulling that apart is a great place to get started - just don't reassemble until you've identified the real issue, whether it's here or somewhere else..... -Al

 

[Dukedog]

you need ta check tha cables AFTER ya pull 'em outta tha tubes on tha motor before ya go ta all tha trouble of cleanin' something that may/may not be tha problem.. there is a shop built (coonass engineered) tool that works really well with completely cleanin' and relube (with air pressure) tha entire cable.. it worked really well but its a little messy and takes a little effort.. it kinda went away with everything goin' hyd..

www.hydrostream.org/ArticleArchives/Luber.htm

 

[merc850]

What is the problem? pull the cables out clean tubes and outer cable sleeves, extend the cable assembly and clean and lube the inner liner. Use an anti-corrosion grease like Mercury's. put the cables back and grease the outer sleeves, grease the fitting for the swivel tube and the tilt tube, don't talk to dealer.

 

[Marathon Man]

Maybe the tilt tube and/or the steering tube.
Maybe the swivel on the motor itself
Maybe one or both cables.
By the time you buy a new twin rack helm and dual cables and have them installed, which may require taking the motor loose and then reinstalling it, you are getting really close to the price of hydraulic steering, which is usually easier to install.
Hydraulic steering is one of the absolute best improvements you can do to an old boat.
And you won't ever have to screw with bound up corroded steering cables again.

 

[tablerockboater]

What is the problem? pull the cables out clean tubes and outer cable sleeves, extend the cable assembly and clean and lube the inner liner. Use an anti-corrosion grease like Mercury's. put the cables back and grease the outer sleeves, grease the fitting for the swivel tube and the tilt tube, don't talk to dealer.

Sorta what I was figuring. For now, I have turned the steering all the way to where almost all of the "rods" are out of the tubes. Yes, they had some old, hardened grease on them, giving an idea what's inside the tubes.

But, for now I just cleaned those off with some light oil, and the steering is not as stiff, something I can live with compared to some of the suggestions here.

 

[tablerockboater]

View attachment 336817

View attachment 336818

This is how mine is. One appears to be the Tilt Tube and one appears to be the Steering Tube. That brush is designed for cleaning the inside of the tube, but I've shotgun brushes and cleaning pads and rolled up sandpaper on flexible cable used for that, too.

Also, it does not appear that they greased the zert on the on my tilt, which I would think should do during routine maintenance.

I did have "trim" maintenance on the list.

Sorta what I was figuring. For now, I have turned the steering all the way to where almost all of the "rods" are out of the tubes. Yes, they had some old, hardened grease on them, giving an idea what's inside the tubes.

But, for now I just cleaned those off with some light oil, and the steering is not as stiff, something I can live with compared to some of the suggestions here.

Now the steering is really stiff in one direction and really easy the other.

 

[Dukedog]

with steering all tha way ta port can ya pull tha cables out of tha tubes without havin' ta pull motor?

 

[tablerockboater]

Funny, I did a google search, since I still have not cleaned and lubricated the steering rods and tubes, and want to do it this week when I clean the boat for Labor Dad, and this thread is what I found!!!!