sticky steering

[badkins50]

The boat does not have power steering. The outdrive is a 1984 3.7L Alpha 1. The serial number I got off of it is 6810660 and it has a 1.65R stamped on it.

As the season went on I've noticed the steering getting worse and worse, getting harder to turn at both cruisen and no wake speeds, even when on the trailer. Any suggestion on where to start to hopefully get this resolved? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Don S]

Re: sticky steering

90% of the time, corrosion in the tube the steering cable goes thru on the transom shield is the problem. Remove the cable, clean the corrosion out (Shotgun cleaning brush in a drill works great) and some thin grease usually makes for easy steering.

 

[badkins50]

Re: sticky steering

Thanks Don. I'll give it a try hopefully tonight after work, if not then for sure this weekend.

 

[Bondo]

Re: sticky steering

Ayuh,... If it ain't the tube, chances are the cable is Beat,...
Replacin' it is the Fix in that case...

 

[badkins50]

Re: sticky steering

Thanks Bond-o, it's good to know these things before I get started. Hopefully I get a chance to sneak off into the garage and get started on this project as well, might have to wait until the family goes back home after the holidays.

Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Don S]

Re: sticky steering

One way to determine if it's the tube or the cable, is to back off the big cable nut that attaches the cable to the tube. Then turn the wheel, if the wheel turns normal and the outer cable moves ok, the cable is fine. Then try to turn the drive, if it's still tight, it's corrosion in the tube.

 

[badkins50]

Re: sticky steering

Sorry fellas, I haven't had much time to even look at the boat let alone start working on it. With the holidays being here and snow flying and a new baby coming December 18th I am trying to get as much done as possible and still maintain my sanity. I'll update as soon as I can. Thanks again.

 

[honeys money]

Re: sticky steering

Mine did the same thing, the grease looked like black paint, had to scrape it off with a putty knife, and it seamed to happen in a week or so, new grease now all good.