Mercruiser 188 HP/302 Ford - Bent Steering

[oarwardbound]

I have a 1974 Invader with a Mercruiser 188 Outdrive. My brother hit a stump as he was driving it and it bent the steering shaft (I'm not even sure that's what it's called) enough that the steering wheel won't turn all the way to the left without force. I've been looking all day online trying to figure out which part I need to buy but I am completely lost on this one. The original manual seems to call the part I need an Extension Rod but I can't find that anywhere. The rod is bent or kinked somewhere within the Cable Guide Tube.

Can someone walk me through how to pull the extension rod out of the cable guide tube? I have already removed the steering arm on the right side from the extension rod by taking out the pin and unscrewing the nut. I have also already loosened the lock nut from the left side that holds the cable in place.

If this is something that isn't DIY friendly just let me know, but I would rather do it myself if possible.

Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 188 HP/302 Ford - Bent Steering

it bent the steering shaft (I'm not even sure that's what it's called)

Post a picture of what is bent so we are all on the same page, instead of guessing what you are looking at.

 

[oarwardbound]

Re: Mercruiser 188 HP/302 Ford - Bent Steering

I'll try. It's kind of hard to get to and see.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 188 HP/302 Ford - Bent Steering

I have a 1974 Invader with a Mercruiser 188 Outdrive. My brother hit a stump as he was driving it and it bent the steering shaft (I'm not even sure that's what it's called) enough that the steering wheel won't turn all the way to the left without force. I've been looking all day online trying to figure out which part I need to buy but I am completely lost on this one. The original manual seems to call the part I need an Extension Rod but I can't find that anywhere. The rod is bent or kinked somewhere within the Cable Guide Tube.

Can someone walk me through how to pull the extension rod out of the cable guide tube? I have already removed the steering arm on the right side from the extension rod by taking out the pin and unscrewing the nut. I have also already loosened the lock nut from the left side that holds the cable in place.

If this is something that isn't DIY friendly just let me know, but I would rather do it myself if possible.

Thanks.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... It sounds like yer lookin' at the end of the Steerin' Cable,....

If the cable end won't come outa the support tube, yer probably lookin' at replacin', All of it....

Is there P/Steerin' involved,..??

I'll try. It's kind of hard to get to and see.

If ya can Reach it, you can take a picture,....

That's the Beauty of the digital camera...

 

[oarwardbound]

Re: Mercruiser 188 HP/302 Ford - Bent Steering

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... It sounds like yer lookin' at the end of the Steerin' Cable,....

If the cable end won't come outa the support tube, yer probably lookin' at replacin', All of it....

Is there P/Steerin' involved,..??


If ya can Reach it, you can take a picture,....

That's the Beauty of the digital camera...

Thanks for the welcome.

The cable will come out a little ways but doesn't want to budge past a certain point. Yes, it has power steering. I had trouble finding what type of brand I would need to replace the entire thing. Can you point me in the right direction? Also, is there an instructional forum post somewhere on how to remove a bound steering cable/assembly?

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 188 HP/302 Ford - Bent Steering

Your pictures are distorted, makes it almost impossible to see if something is bent or not. I know the cable wasn't flattened. I also don't see anything there to indicate it has power steering. Looks like cable steering to me.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 188 HP/302 Ford - Bent Steering

Thanks for the welcome.

The cable will come out a little ways but doesn't want to budge past a certain point. Yes, it has power steering. I had trouble finding what type of brand I would need to replace the entire thing. Can you point me in the right direction? Also, is there an instructional forum post somewhere on how to remove a bound steering cable/assembly?

Ayuh,.. I don't see P/S, just a cable to the tiller arm link....

The double jam nuts at the starboard end, I believe, releases the support tube from the transom plate....
Ya might have to Cut things apart to get it out...

Teliflex is a good solid name to go with for a replacement....

I'd go with the "Kit", of cable, 'n Helm myself...

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 188 HP/302 Ford - Bent Steering

If the end of the cable (red arrow) is what is bent, I would turn the wheel to extend it out as far as possible and cut it off. Grind/file the ends down of any burrs and see if it will pull out of the aluminum tube (Blue arrow)

 

[oarwardbound]

Re: Mercruiser 188 HP/302 Ford - Bent Steering

Will do. Thanks for the advice Don and Bond-o, very helpful.

 

[oarwardbound]

Re: Mercruiser 188 HP/302 Ford - Bent Steering

Your pictures are distorted, makes it almost impossible to see if something is bent or not. I know the cable wasn't flattened. I also don't see anything there to indicate it has power steering. Looks like cable steering to me.

Yeah, I think it's actually bent within the cable guide tube. I wasn't able to get it out far enough to see where it was bent.