See full version: Mercury Outboard steering frozen
Mine was like that until it welded itself into a single piece of metal this winter. And when I say a single piece of metal, that is what I mean. I couldn't believe it, but a 22" pipe wrench wouldn't budge the drive tube inside the tilt tube, and I beat on the end with a hammer until I deformed the metal. I had to cut it off off. here
Knowing what I know now, this fall I would un-do the steering link from the port side, then the large aluminum nut from the starboard side and pull the the cable assembly out of the tilt tube. Then, I'd lube the inside of the tilt tube and reassemble. The whole process wouldn't take 15 minutes. I'm not sure greasing the drive tube where it comes out the tilt tube would work since the tolerances are so tight, the grease would just get wiped off. Then I would store it with the drive tube extended, and greased. They need to undersize the drive tube and use a nylon bushing as a riding surface, not the entire interior surface of the tilt tube to avoid this problem. [links]
[links]
There should be grease zerks for it, but it shouldn’t be tight if it’s not even a year old. Try grease and go from there. here
If greasing it up doesn’t fix it, the cable is probably ready to be replaced. [links]
Boat is stored on a lift uncovered. [links]
Motor/ boat isn’t a year old yet. Hadn’t used in a few weeks and all of the sudden the steering is very tight. Looks like the rod that moves back and forth may need lubricant or something. Any recommendations on how to fix?
Disconnect the link arm on the cable. Engine should turn freely. If the cable is stiff, pull it, clean and lube with Merc green steering cable grease. Get the tilt tube really clean. That's where the binding occurs. Put a wiper seal on the cable exit to keep out sand and dirt. Use marine grease on the steering shaft while disconnected. Move it from lock to lock while you pump. more
Even if your boat isn’t used much, heat from sitting in the weather and over time, the grease can degrade, so once every three months would be advisable. It really only takes a minute. more
Even if you get your outboard regularly serviced by a technician, there are a number of routine maintenance steps you can take yourself to keep it in top working order.
The simple steps to undertake this important maintenance is in the video.
All you will need for this exercise is about 10 minutes of your time, a rag to wipe excess grease and a grease gun loaded with a good quality waterproof boating grease from your local dealer.
Assemble drag link parts as shown: [links]
Apply a light coat of Triple-Guard grease to steering friction rod and install through clamp and tilt tube. Be sure that plastic bushing is in place inside clamp. [links]
Torque wrench tightening specifications must be strictly followed. Replace any locking fastener (locknut or patch screw) if its locking feature becomes weak. Definite resistance to turning must be felt when reusing a locking fastener. If replacement is specified or required because the locking fastener has become weak, use only authorized Evinrude/Johnson Genuine Parts. more
40–60 HP MODELS WITH POWER TRIM here
When replacement parts are required, use Evinrude/Johnson Genuine Parts or parts with equivalent characteristics, including type, strength and material. Using substandard parts could result in injury or product malfunction. more
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