Stiff Steering - Even After New Mechanism Installed

[Splash]

All,

I need your guidance in what to do next. I installed a brand new Teleflex Steering Unit, cable, etc.

Hooked it back together and the steering is very stiff and not right.

But the steering issues are still persisting with stiff steering.

Also, steering does not fully complete a full cycle (to starboard) but does full turn to port side.

Out of desperation and bought a pump gun, and pumped the 2 nipples full of grease.

After 5 mins of constant turning, it seems to be a little better, but still retains that 'heavy' feeling...

The rubber sleeve that I have attached a picture of appears worn on the inside and thinking of replacing it.

Would this sleeve impact on the smoothness of steering?

Also, I am unable to locate a part number for this sleeve. Can you help and provide this part number?

Also, there is lock pin that I am supposed to insert back into the helm (where the cable screws into). Where do I insert this pin?


Help me lighten up this steering.

SPlash

[Splash]

Those of you who have had similar pain, what steps did you take to remedy the issues?

Splash

[Bilopete]

I'm not going to be much of use to you as I am currently considering converting to forward steering from a tiller. What system are you using and how did you find the steering install process? Apart from the problem you have highlihgted, was the rest of the install painless?

[Splash]

Hi Bilopete.

I am now using the Teleflex SS137 manual steering unit (non-hydraulic).

The helm area was fairly straight forward after I stumbled through some mistakes I have now learnt from - if I had to do it again. Some key learnings:

- Correct length and correct way of measuring steering cable is ultra imperative!
- Ensure you have sufficient clearance for inserting gauges BEHIND new helm plate after the steering box is mounted into position.
- No written instruction came with my Teleflex unit to mount the helm unit - ask plenty of questions from dealer where you buy unit.
- If you are paying someone to make your helm panel, do not expect too much (it took a laser cutter 3 attempts to get mine right).

Good luck!

How is Rocky these days? I spent 2 years in Rocky/Yeppoon in 1997 - 1998.

Splash

[Fed]

You're pumping grease into the tilt shaft (2 nipples) which doesn't get through to the steering cable rod anyway, the steering rod should be greased before you assemble it.

Tilt your motor up and look on the port side about half way down the swivel bracket for a single grease nipple that serves the swivel pin.

[Splash]

Thansk Fed,

I will check that single nipple when I return home from work later today (Peth time).

Why is the motor not turning full range towards Port?

It stops in the center and does not go past that - only towards Starbord....


Splash

[Fed]

Why is the motor not turning full range towards Port?

Get it nice and free first, you should be able to move the motor with one finger from either the steering wheel or from the outboard. (Not with NFB steering of course)

[Splash]

How to get it nice and free first?

Splash

[Fed]

Grease the nipple, it even works on women.

[Splash]

lol. I could provide a beautiful response to the nipple bit, but I am at work :-((

Anyway, assuming I grease the nipple (on the motor), and still 'locked' in center, what is my next step?

Splash

[Fed]

If your motor is nice & free then you could have the wrong drag link on it but it used to be OK didn't it? (With the old cable)

[griz066]

Have a look here as well

http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/arc.../t-147884.html

[Splash]

yes, it worked OK before I re-installed this new cable/helm kit.

Even though it was very hard to turn after the boat was trucked from melbournee to Perth last year. Something i think has happened during that journey to initiate this problem...

Splash

[Fed]

Go home, disconnect the drag link, pump grease into the swivel pin, swing the outboard from side to side, more grease, more swing, more grease, more swing....
Report back when your mission is complete.

[Splash]

Thansk Fed.

Griz066 - That link describes exactly my situation!!

Splash