Steering problems on 2005 Suntracker Pontoon w/Merc 50HP

[spestka]

I recently purchased a 2005 Suntracker 22' Pontoon with a Mercury 50HP 2-stroke. When I got the boat in the water this spring, the steering was very, very stiff. I replaced the steering link arm because the one bushing was seized. It ended up being the steering cable (the rod was tweaked at the end of the cable). So $180 later and a new steering cable (It was actually a whole kit including the helm, identical to the existing one) the steering was much better. 2 months later and I am having the exact same problem. I'm not sure what to do. I have a theory that either someone hit my motor or when trimming the motor up out of the water at the end of boating is somehow bending that steering arm. Does anyone have any thoughts? I hate to keep replacing steering cables if there is a design problem with the motor or something else. Thanks.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Steering problems on 2005 Suntracker Pontoon w/Merc 50HP

When you put the new cable in, did you replace the o-ring in the end of the tilt tube where the steering rod exits?

Is there a grease fitting on the steering tube?

One thing they forget to tell you is that grease will corrupt the steering cable. Pressure greasing it will surely jam it up. (from Teleflex) They wouldn't tell me, but I've found out experimentally that 5W30 synthetic motor oil works good. I use a very light coat of 2-4-C teflon loaded grease on the rod itself.

They also won't tell you the cable can be relubed. It can.

A bunch of us noodled it out, and are having success.
http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188864

hope it helps
John

 

[spestka]

Re: Steering problems on 2005 Suntracker Pontoon w/Merc 50HP

Thank you for the reply. Yes there is a fitting on the tilt tube but I installed one of those cable buddy lubrication systems which includes an oil like lubrication that is apparently designed for boat steering cables. I believe my issue is much more than lubrication. The steering is so tight that it requires two hands and a leg braced against the console to steer. We had just taken the boat out on a Thursday and it was perfectly fine but when we went back on Saturday it was all messed up. The only thing I did on Thursday at the end of boating was trim the engine up out of the water.
I was just trying to see if there was maybe something in the tilt that could be causing the steering rod on the cable to bend.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Steering problems on 2005 Suntracker Pontoon w/Merc 50HP

Thank you for the reply. Yes there is a fitting on the tilt tube but I installed one of those cable buddy lubrication systems which includes an oil like lubrication that is apparently designed for boat steering cables. I believe my issue is much more than lubrication. The steering is so tight that it requires two hands and a leg braced against the console to steer. We had just taken the boat out on a Thursday and it was perfectly fine but when we went back on Saturday it was all messed up. The only thing I did on Thursday at the end of boating was trim the engine up out of the water.
I was just trying to see if there was maybe something in the tilt that could be causing the steering rod on the cable to bend.

Cable buddy is good stuff. Lube's not the problem.

I have seen a bent tilt tube. I have no idea how it got that way, but it was still in the motor. Is there any sign of the engine being struck?

hope it helps
John

 

[spestka]

Re: Steering problems on 2005 Suntracker Pontoon w/Merc 50HP

Well I think I found the problem. When the motor is trimmed all the way up and the engine turned far right exposing more of the steering rod, the steering link arm was hitting the transom thus bending the steering rod. It looks like the whole motor needs to be raised up a bit. I was able to bend the steering rod back a bit and it is much easier to turn now. For now I just need to make sure the motor is turned far left before I trim up. What a pain. I'm not sure if raising the motor up will cause any other problems. There are additional holes so it can go up. Does anyone have any thoughts on raising the motor?

 

[milehighboater]

Re: Steering problems on 2005 Suntracker Pontoon w/Merc 50HP

You might want to take a quick trip to bass pro and look at other sun trackers and count the mounting holes. I have bought a couple of tracker boats and never had a problem as major as the engine not being installed properly. They build a good boat, I would look at it again. If it were the engine being mounted improperly I doubt it would have made it passed the warranty stage without someone seeing it.

 

[lowell7963]

Re: Steering problems on 2005 Suntracker Pontoon w/Merc 50HP

One more thought. There is a huge thread going on about a 21 Ft. Sun Tracker with a 50HP 2 cylce that is ventilating (some people say cavitating) so bad it is driving the owner nuts. He wants to lower the motor.

So be aware that raising the motor may create new problems. See the post...."Cavitation.....I'm at the end of my rope...." or something along that title.