Steering freezing up

[shawn7]

Hey guys,
I have an OPTIMAX 115 outboard motor (06). The steering rod (it has two rods, it's the rod farthest away from the motor)(is it called rack and pinion?) keeps seizing up when it sits for two weeks or more. Last summer my neighbor helped me get it unstuck (took it apart, had to heat it up and then beat it out of the shaft. We sanded it, put grease on it and it was good to go. This is a salt water boat, is this a natural occurrence with these types of steering and salt water?


thanks for the help,
Shawn

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Steering freezing up

Shawn, It sounds like you will need to repeat your fix. However this time sand down the inside of the tube to get rid of some of the corrosion, and grease it with Merc Special Lube 101. It is made for just this purpose. Keep it lubed, and it should not seize up, at least for awhile...