Re: 88 Blackmax XR2 Steering
I have an 88 Stratos with a 150 blackmax. My steering is tight as all get out. I pretty much have to crank it with both hands to get it turned. I've tried lubing and everything else i could think of and nothing has changed. I have a teleflex dual rack system on there now. My question is do i have to remove the motor to remove the steering cables? I see no other way to remove them. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Also i can't find the correct rack and pinion system for my boat on iboats if anyone can help with that. Thanks in advance.
Been there, hope to help.
You have to pull the cables straight out of the steering tubes for about 3 feet, so most setups require that you swing the engine to do it. I don't unhook everything, just swing the engine on a lifting eye enough to pull the cables.
The other thing is that the front steering cable tube usually has a grease fitting on it. If you grease it enough to force grease into the steering cable, it'll jam the cable, just like you describe.
Teleflex says the only fix is to replace the cable. A bunch of us said B***s*** and figured out several ways to clean and relubricate them.
Here's a link:
http://www.screamandfly.com/showthread.php?188864-Steering-Cable-Lube/page1&highlight=steering+cable
hope it helps
John
