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Tight steering cable?

Posted: March 22nd, 2010, 9:42 am
by konrad
Got in my boat the other day and the steering was very tight. It isn't locked up but pretty hard to turn the motor. If anyone has any advice on what I can do to loosen it up I greatly appreciate it. The boat is only 2 years old if that matters.

Re: Tight steering cable?

Posted: March 22nd, 2010, 9:51 am
by FUTCHCAIRO
HEY KONRAD, TURN THE STEERING WHEEL UNTIL THE ARM IS ALL THE WAY OUT OF THE GUIDE, THEN SPRAY THE ROD DRIPPIN WET WITH BLASTER, THEN TURN THE STEERING WHEEL PULLING THE STEERING ROD IN AND OUT OF THE THE GUIDE UNTIL IT GOES IN AND OUT EASY, IF IT IS TIGHT USA A WOOD MALLET TO KNOCK IT IN AND OUT UNTIL IT GOES IN EASY WITH THE STEERING WHEEL.
PA :smt006 salute2

Re: Tight steering cable?

Posted: March 22nd, 2010, 10:30 am
by konrad
Thanks for the advise,

If you don't mind, what is Blaster and where can I find it?

Re: Tight steering cable?

Posted: March 22nd, 2010, 11:21 am
by FishWithChris
I believe he's talking about PB Blaster

Image

Any autoparts store, such as Autozone

Re: Tight steering cable?

Posted: March 22nd, 2010, 11:23 am
by FlatCrazy
Insert that rod over and over again, cleaning the old grease off each time it is out. Sometimes the best way to get that old grease out is to heat the reservoir area with a torch. When you pump in the new grease the old stuff will come out easier when hot.

Re: Tight steering cable?

Posted: March 22nd, 2010, 11:29 am
by Barhopr
If it's cable steering, check out the Helm too.

Re: Tight steering cable?

Posted: March 22nd, 2010, 12:08 pm
by konrad
Many thanks guys!!

Re: Tight steering cable?

Posted: March 30th, 2010, 12:43 pm
by fishinfool
Take a look at this. There are many suppliers of this type of lube system, this is but one http://www.westmarine.com/1/3/engine-systems-cable-lube
It will also help in preventing your cable from getting stiff in the future.
FF

Re: Tight steering cable?

Posted: March 30th, 2010, 12:46 pm
by fishinfool
Take a look at this. There are many suppliers of this type of lube system, this is but one http://www.westmarine.com/1/3/engine-systems-cable-lube
It will also help in preventing your cable from getting stiff in the future.
FF

Re: Tight steering cable?

Posted: March 30th, 2010, 1:19 pm
by Sir reel
If it has set up for a long time, check the rod at the motor and see if by chance you see some small rust pits on the rod and if that particular area seems to catch or stick more than another. If it does you can take some 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper and polish that part of the rod and that will help it to smoothly go in and out of the external cable sheath