Steering control help

[phatphil26]

I have a 1983 Johnson 50 hp on a 1983, 16' Starcraft. It has Morse steering controls. I can turn the motor all the way to the right but it will only go a little past center to the left. 3 years ago it started doing this and I was able to free it up and use it, I injected some grease in the 2 zerks on the steering ram at the motor and now it seems that it is frozen at half turn. I have tried heat the ram with a heat gun, and I took the 2 zerks out and have been spraying Kroil into the ram trying to soften the grease but to no avail. I have loosened both of the large nuts attaching the cable to the motor and have removed the linkage from the ram to the motor and tried to physically turn it to the left but no go. Any other ideas? Thank you for your assistance.

 

[Scott Danforth]

could be your steering cable is bad (happens).

if that is the case and you cant back the steering cable out, time to cut it off and replace the helm and cable. if you cant get the remainder out of the tilt tube, you may have to get a new tilt tube.

 

[phatphil26]

When you say back the steering cable out, how do I do this? I have loosened the 2 large nuts and have tried backing off on the cable adjuster but it starts turning even while holding the nuts with opposing wrenches. I see no sign of corrosion and this is a freshwater boat.