Steering locked?

[chevynut]

I am new to boating and have an 1973 Johnson 25hp outboard Model 25R73A.
Somehow I have locked the motor from being able to turn left and right (steer).

I know there must be a simple lever somewhere used to do this, but I can not find it to unlock. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Mike

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Steering locked?

There is no "simple lever" to unlock. Does the motor have remote steering or is it tiller steered? If remote, what kind (single cable, exposed cable or hydraulic)?

 

[chevynut]

Re: Steering locked?

Tiller steering. Was working fine and then took engine off and put in the garage for the night and then put back on today and it is stuck in the straight (middle) position

 

[F_R]

Re: Steering locked?

Tiller steering. Was working fine and then took engine off and put in the garage for the night and then put back on today and it is stuck in the straight (middle) position

That really is strange. As said, there is nothing to lock it. But I don't have the slightest idea what could have happened overnight. Over a period of weeks or months, yes.

For your information, the steering friction adjustment is a screw that you will see if you look just above the transom, between the clamp brackets. But that only has a range of loosey-sloppy to fairly snug. You would really have to work at it to make it lock up.

 

[chevynut]

Re: Steering locked?

I got the Clymers manual and can't find anything that would lock it.

Does such a lever exist?

I thought there could possibly be one that would lock it so when towing it wouldn't flop around.

I guess I will take it back off and check if there is something I can't see while it is on the boat.

Not having such good luck with my first boat and it's maiden voyage.

Thanks, Mike

 

[bankerjohn]

Re: Steering locked?

I got the Clymers manual and can't find anything that would lock it.

That's your first problem ... you need to get a factory OEM service manual!

Here's a diagram of your motor:

It's impossible to determine if parts #67 and #65 have anything to do with steering or not ... but definitely part #73 is how you're supposed to adjust the amount of steering tension. And the whole assembly should be lubed at #62.

Check your motor for a "pivot lock lever" first ... and if that's not your problem, try lubing the shaft at #62 and/or spray some WD-40 or similar up around the top of the steering shaft where the "co-pilot plate and spacer" are located.

 

[wilde1j]

Re: Steering locked?

You guys are peeing into a hurricane. The tilt lock deal has zero to do with pivoting, only keeping the motor in the tilted up position (#69). There is NO PIVOT LOCK, period other than the steering friction deal and you couldn't get that tight enough to lock it up. Something else is going on.

 

[F_R]

Re: Steering locked?

You guys are peeing into a hurricane. The tilt lock deal has zero to do with pivoting, only keeping the motor in the tilted up position (#69). There is NO PIVOT LOCK, period other than the steering friction deal and you couldn't get that tight enough to lock it up. Something else is going on.

That isn't correct either. #69 is for locking it DOWN so it doesn't kick up in reverse.

 

[chevynut]

Re: Steering locked?

From what I can see in that diagram, the only thing that could "lock" it would be the co-pilot space/plate. I loosened it all the way out and nothing happened. It is solidly locked up no movement at all. Doesn't feel like something is binding it up, more like it is locked.

There is another bolt an inch or so above the co-pilot screw. It is in the same direction as the co-pilot screw. I loosened it up also. Nothing. It is not in the diagram above. It is and 1/2 bolt with and allen key hole on the top of it.

This sucks, I guess the only thing left to do is diassemble it.

 

[James R]

Re: Steering locked?

Most probably find that, due to lack of attention to lubrication, the pivot tube has locked up in the mount casing. Only one thing to do. Pull it apart.