Re: Steering question on a 70 evinrude
OK here we go:
Step 1: - Disconnecting the link arm from the steering cable
End of the steering cable where the steering link arm attaches:
Plus a little closer view:
Undo the lock-nut (should be a 9/16), and take out the steering arm... try to pivot the motor back and forth with the link arm disconnected, it should move easily and freely... (if it binds then let me know, but this is not very commmon).
Step 2 checking the steering cable part 1
Spot where steering cable connects to the motor through the tilt tube:
and a little closer view:
Disconnect the large nut (should be 1-1/8" if I remember correctly).
With the nut disconnected try to turn the steering wheel so the cable starts to come out of the tube.... one of two things will happen, either the entire cable (and sleeve) will move, or just the inner portion of the cable will move. If just the inner portion of the cable moves, and it moves easily, then what's happening is the main steering end of the cable is "sticking" in the tilt tube... this is quite common on engines where the cable isnt greased regularly.
This is where it gets fun..... to take the cable up, turn the steering wheel until the big nut is back at the end of the tube, making the whole assembly as short as possible... then you will have to get the cable out of the tube by pushing it out at the opposite end (the end where you disconnected the link arm). The only problem here is, many, many boats are set-up where you won't have enough clearance to push the cable assembly back into the boat, and have enough room to take the cable out of the tilt tube... if thats the case, then you are looking at pulling the motor (not all the way), but at least unbolting it, and moving it to the left so you can get clearance to get the cable out.
You can double check the cable at this point and see if it is still "stiff" to turn, if it is, then you will have to replace it. (it's not very common, but the stiffness can also be in the helm, but this is rare).
Once the cable is out, you have to "reem" the tilt tube out.
Picture of empty tilt tube here: (disregard the fact that the nuts are off, I was changing out a bad one)
Port side of motor:
Starboard side of motor:
You need to put the reeming tool, (they sell them here at iboats:
Clicky ,on the end of a drill, and put some penetrating oil on it, and work it back and forth through the tube to clean it out... this removes old grease/corrosion/rust build-up.
reverse the procedure to install the new cable.
(NOTE: This does not include directions for completely changing the cable, there is additional work to do at the helm to change out a cable, and is a little different for a rotary helm versus a rack&pinion helm).
If you get to the point where you think you might need to change out the whole cable, let me know, and I will see what I can do to get you some more info, but the instructions for that part come with the steering cable replacement.
Hope that helps!
(sorry I couldnt edit the pictures with some arrows to point the stuff out, but hopefully you can figure it out).
If you have any questions, please let me know.
. But im going to go to the shop i work at in a bit and borrow the tools i need. Oh and a little good news is i think i will have plenty of room to get the cable out of the tub without moving the motor over, gotta love bass boats!