Outboard Steering Loose

[jul926]

I recently bought a 20 HP Mercury Outboard with tiller steering that is very loose. Before operating the engine, I noticed it flopped side to side when being pulled on the trailer. The steering is loose at low speed, but the boat can be controlled. Then it becomes very dangerous going fast. The engine becomes very hard to steer making it easy to loose control of the boat. Note: The boat is an aluminum Lonestar 14' Semi-V. Has anyone heard of this problem? Is there a way to tighten the steering on the engine?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: Outboard Steering Loose

This seems to me like an outboard question.<br /><br />Moving it there.

 

[ICEMAN]

Re: Outboard Steering Loose

HI, The motor should have a steering friction screw on it. Though I'm not sure where it would be located on your motor. You should also check to see if the motor is loose at the pivot areas or mounts.

 

[jul926]

Re: Outboard Steering Loose

There appears to be a friction screw and it is as tight as it can be. The motor is mounted tight to the transom. The nuts holding the tiller handle are tightened. I am beginning to wonder if worn metal or too much grease is causing this. Maybe the friction screw is not making contact with anything to cause friction.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Outboard Steering Loose

Sounds like the bushings for the steering arm are worn and need to be replaced.