frozen steering

[Kahuku6971]

I have a merc 3.7 IO with power steering. The steering was always stiff but now it is frozen. any suggestions?? thanks

 

[Bondo]

Re: frozen steering

Ayuh,... Remove the cable from the aluminum tube at the transom, 'n clean the corrosion outa it...

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: frozen steering

Forget cleaning the cable, that seldom works. Juat replace the whole cable all together.

 

[Bondo]

Re: frozen steering

Forget cleaning the cable, that seldom works. Juat replace the whole cable all together.

Ayuh,.... Probably oughta make Sure it's the cable before throwin' away money, don'tcha think,..??

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: frozen steering

Ayuh,.... Probably oughta make Sure it's the cable before throwin' away money, don'tcha think,..??

9 times out of 10 it'll be a bad cable. You're correct, check the aluminum housing first but I'm willing to bet that the issue is further up the line. Out of the dozens of cables I've replaced, the issue was further in the cable. Once or twice the issue was were you stated however I ended up replaceing the cable a year or so later anyway.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: frozen steering

99 times out of 100, the stainless steering rod corrodes to the guide tube at the sterndrive, and the steering cable is fine. The fix is to remove the guide tube from its clamp and put a torch on it. Now you can pull the stainless steering rod out and clean and regrease everything. Mercruiser makes a special Lube 101 just for that purpose. It is a bit better than marine grease, IMHO.