Wassachu
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2007
- Messages
- 46
My mechanical steering is frozen. I have a 1990 Johnson 70HP outboard. The piston that goes in and out of the tube on the outboard is frozen. If I disconnect the cable end, at the outboard, I can get movement at that point by turning the steering wheel. I've sprayed penatrating oil in the tube at the cable end but no help. I noticed the fasteners at both ends of the tube are rusty. The thing is, I just had the steering replaced in April 2006. The old steering cable froze up and was the original. The boat shop that installed the new cable says there only good for two years in salt water. My boat has been used in salt or brackish water all it's life.
Am I right in thinking I have a defective cable at the motor end? I'm replacing the motor this weekend with a new E-TEC and will probably have to replace the steering cable too. $$$$$$
Is hydraulic steering worth the big bucks and less of a problem?
Am I right in thinking I have a defective cable at the motor end? I'm replacing the motor this weekend with a new E-TEC and will probably have to replace the steering cable too. $$$$$$
Is hydraulic steering worth the big bucks and less of a problem?