seized steering

[lenrok]

Hi all was hoping some out there may know the answer to my problem?

Discovered that the steering cbale has seized inside the titlt tube on the 30hp outboard....tried using WD40 and a bit of gentle persuassion(hammer)..but it won't bugged. Looks like the titlt tube has rusted up on the ferrule slide mechanisim.

Any ideas on how to free this up? I can undo the nut on the otherside and get to the cable inside the tube...was considering cutting and trying to force the slide out with a steel tube and a hammer.

thanks in advance

[tigermullet]

On attempting to remove the old cable so that a new one could be installed it was found that it was better to remove the cable from the steering box, unclip the entire length of steering cable and then position the motor and cable so that the cable had an absolutely straight run. That is, the curve of the cable around the transom area was eliminated.

I am just guessing that this might form part of your problem - you might have already done this. If so, I am sorry and am out of further ideas.

[predator]

Is it rust or has the grease gone hard??
Do you you use marine grease??

Automotive grease is no good on boats.

Try a bit of heat from a heat gun or a strong hairdrier and try to move it back and forth.

[Kerry]

NO grease is any good on steering.

Keep soaking the thing with WD40/CRC/ATF etc, keep up the gentle persuassion and you could try wrapping the tilt tube with towels and pouring boiling water into them. Can often break down the crud and start things moving.

No need to start cutting things but it will tkae time and persistence.

[trueblue]

Once you have got it free and cleaned it all out - use 2 stroke oil to lubricate the unit. Fill it till its full and keep topping it up every 6 months or so.

This was shown to me years ago by an elderly boat mechanic, and also is the practice of my current mechanic.

Cheers

Mick

[Cloud_9]

i agree with Kerry for a change.
work back and forward droun it in wd or inox and keep working it back and forward don hit it too hard or you wont get it out of the tube if you bur the end badly
no quick fix there. last 1 i had to do for customer took 3 hours for 2 of us .
1 each side he knocked it 1 way and me the other.
Cloud 9

[Spaniard_King]

Get serious with the Hammer

Garry

[Angla]

Try a product called penetrene or there is another one out there that free's up locked things. Don't know its name though. Try a specialist outlet for that sort of product like or even a nut and bolt place.

Persistence will pay off but be patient

Chris

[lenrok]

Thanks guys...persistance was exactly what was needed! Little bit of hammer action and alot of WD40 got the job done.

Thanks for the advice. Will keep the 2 stroke oil up to it to avoid this in the future.

Cheers