Steering stuck

[steele55]

I recently got an '86 Imperial Bowrider w/ 140 hp Mercruiser. I am new to boating so this is a rookie question...My steering is stuck but I dont know if the outdrive should be all the way down or not. After reading some of the other threads I am going to disconnet the end of the steering cable from the end near the motor (this is called???) I have also be spraying that screw looking thing with WD40 to free it up, (there appears to be dried grease or something on it).

Any thoughts and thanks for the help.

 

[whynson]

Re: Steering stuck

had the same problem when i bought my '88 Glasstream 16' bowrider that had been sitting for 4 years. Being new to boating i thought maybe there was a pin or something to lock the steering, but thats not the case. ended up just giving the outdrive a nice swift kick to the lowered outdrive, which made it move about and inch, acouple more kicks later in each direction and she was freed up.. Probably not the "correct" way to do it, but i can steer now. This was on a Mercruiser I/O with an Alpha 1 Gen 1 drive. Hope that helps a bit
Scott

 

[steele55]

Re: Steering stuck

Wow that sounds abit cavemanish...that may be the last resort option

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Steering stuck

You probably want to pull the entire steering cable out and grease her.
Its fairly straightforward, disconnect the steering arm, unscrew the locking nuts on the tube shaft and turn the helm wheel to push it through. This is from memory, hope I am not missing a step..
Easy to reassemble as well.

 

[whynson]

Re: Steering stuck

Wow that sounds abit cavemanish...that may be the last resort option

We were already at the ramp, with no tools and didnt want to drive back. Good 'ole southern use what you have at the time to try to fix a problem.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Steering stuck

You really need to determine if its the cable (NOT Grease able NOT Servicable and don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise) or the helm.
Disconnect the cable from the tiller arm (the part that comes thru the transom) and turn the helm and see if it moves if so your drive is the culprit. If not it is either the cable (Must be replaced) or the helm. A lot of helms are assembled with the cable and you must replace both.

Boat cables ALL of them are NOT serviceable. When they get stiff they need to be replaced period, it is the way they are made. If you okie engineer them to lube them just think of would you like to be zipping across the lake with your family and have the steering go out?

Any lubrication you may be able to force in there will add drag to the cable and is only a temp fix. They are a teflon coated wire inside a teflon lined metal wire wound sleeve. When they get stiff it means the teflon is worn away and the wire is cutting in to the sleeve (metal to metal).

In some cases it may be the tube where the tiller end comes out is corroded. You may be able to extend the hard end of the cable and clean it and restore steering, but only the end in the tube.