Steering Issue

[wilf1234]

Hi,

I have a steering issue on my 1995 Boston Whaler (75hp Mariner) - the steering won't budge!!

I've unbolted the steering arm from the engine and the Engine moves freely.

I've also unbolted the large bolt that seems to secure the teleflex cable to the engine mount. The teleflex then moves freely (along with the steering wheel). I've attached a couple of photos to highlight the problem.

The problem seems to be the rod that the steering arm connects to - this won't budge at all (Although I can rotate it with a pair of mould grips). I've pumped in grease to a nipple on the side of the engine mount and then tried gentle pressure with a lump hammer on the end of the rod, but no joy

Is this rod the end of the teleflex cable? If so, how is it connected as I can't understand how the teleflex moves freely just by unscrewing the nut on the side of the mount!

If I unscrew the nuts on the side of the engine mount, will I be risking the engine coming loose!!

Are there any quick fixes for this issue (pumping in WD40, grease or ????), persuasion with a lump hammer ......??

If I need to replace the teleflex cable, how will I get the rod out that won;t budge?

Sorry for the barrage of questions but any help would be fantastic

Cheers

W

[Ianfs]

Hi Wilf

A warm welcome to the forum.

I'm only reasonably familiar with outboard steering but what I would say is that the first picture with the arrow pointing to the arm which doesn't budge looks very similar to the power steering arm on my Mercruiser. It is basically Stainless steel going into an Aluminium cylinder and Stainless and Ali notoriously don't mix well.

The arm which doesn't budge looks like it is attached to the tiller arm of the engine and therefore should move freely. If it were me, I would start by cleaning all the crud off the large nut to the right of the red arrow in the first picture and soaking it with penetrating oil and gently easing it. Then with the grips rotate gently along with more penetrating oil. As it becomes more free it should be easy to clean up.

I hope this helps but as its Sunday most guys are out, however an expert should be along a bit later.

[wilf1234]

Thank Ian - the rod marked with the red arrow does seem like its corroded in to the engine hinge tube (?) - the big nut just rotates with the rod as I turn it with a pair of mould grips. (on the other side of the end, the cable moves freely once I disconnect it from the engine mount)

From my experience trying to get seat posts out of bike frames, I don;t think this is going to be removed too easily, particularly as I can't get much of a swing at the end with a lump hammer.

Anyone had any joy easing these out???

[Ianfs]

the big nut just rotates with the rod as I turn it with a pair of mould grips.

That doesn't sound good. Having said that the nut may have welded itself to the rod and be turning on its thread, which is why the rod doesn't slide in and out.

Have you tried soaking it all in penetrating oil and clamping the nut then turn the rod?

[Ianfs]

Any joy with it yet?