Frozen Steering - 1984 40hp Johnson

[gmerrima]

Hi- I have a 14' DelQuay Dory with a 40hp Johnson on the back (c. '84). Has been sitting for 1 yr+ in the elements. Inherited it. The steering seems jammed at the o/b. On the cable, I undid the nut at the holding tube and it was crudded up with salt etc. Cleaned that area out and blew PB nutblaster in there, and the wheel now turns and the cable within the cable (coated in grease) that you can see now that the nut is off, moves about 2 inches back and forth when the wheel is turned, but once it moves that 2" in, it stops. So the steering wheel seems fine, and maybe that 2" represents play, I don't know, but shouldn't I be able to manually push the engine from side to side to mimick the action of the steering system? Or will it not do that since it is so heavy and will only move under normal human force if in water? I guess I am concerned that it is not the cable, but something else that is frozen. Any insight?<br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Frozen Steering - 1984 40hp Johnson

Hey Greg, welcome to iboats. It sounds like you have a bad steering cable, rather than an engine problem. The engine is actaully relatively light, compared to most engines, and you will easily be able to turn it, once you get a new cable on it. Steering cables seize up after a while, especially when they sit. Not too expensive to replace yourself. No amount of PB Blaster is going to loosen it up, when it's done, it's done. When your replace it you will be able to steer that engine with one finger on the wheel. Remove the cable out of the tilt tube and you should be able to move that engine from side to side just by pushing it, the cable is what's keeping it from moving. This post will most likely be moved by a moderator to a different forum, as it's not really an engine repair. They will let you know where they move it to.