Steering seized - mechanic needed

[Macca78]

Hi everyone.

Started prepping my boat for the first trip in a few months and I think the steering has seized.

Does anyone know of a place that can fix it in the Redlands that would be open tomorrow?

Alternatively is it something I could fix myself? I am possibly the least mechanically minded person in the world though so would need to be a very easy job!

[Cheech]

Need to start by pumping grease into the nipple that will be probably half way up the part that the steering rotates in. Should be obvious/easy to identify. Then if it is not hydraulic then manually move the motor back and forth. THis is easier if there is a foul on the skeg to hold for better leaverage. Eventually with brute force it should start giving a bit and then a bit more till you start getting full movement back and forth.

It will probably be because there is either no grease, or it has hardenned up. Or I hope not, that water has got into the steering shaft and started rusting it up. Just keep pumping grease in it till it starts to seap out.

We have recently pulled my motor apart and I wanted to free up the steering so we disassembled that as well, and we found that the top bush (there is a top and a bottom on the steering shaft) had cracked and water had got in. Though I am not saying that is your issue. Probably just gunked up and needs freeing. Use is the best thing to stop it happening, as well as regular greasing.

If you do have hydraulic steering then you will just need to disconnect it so that you can move the motor back and forth.

[Mister]

Yes can fix yourself, be patient, will be in tilt tube, do site search, some links below, ignore anybody who recommends grease.
http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...rozen+steering
http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...rozen+steering
http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...rozen+steering

[Macca78]

Awesome, thanks very much i will go have a look now

[upstart]

I never use grease! Grease goes all sticky. Try ATF instead.

[ericcs]

hi macca,
i have just today replaced the steering cable on my quintrex, it's a fairly simple operation. and i have also unfrozen several others on friends boats over the years, mainly due to rust build up in the tilt tube. i live in birkdale, so i'm happy to give you a bit of a hand to try and fix it if you don't live too far away, just send me a pm
cheers
eric

[Cheech]

Mister, I was recommending grease to go in the grease nipple. If it is the steering cable, then that is a completely different thing.

Macca, how did you go? And was it the cable/tilt tube, or the main steering shaft?

[Jarrah Jack]

Yes can fix yourself, be patient, will be in tilt tube, do site search, some links below, ignore anybody who recommends grease.
http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...rozen+steering
http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...rozen+steering
http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...rozen+steering

You can use grease Kerry but it has to be the right stuff made by the engine manufactures.

[Fed]

Welcome to information overload & myths Macca.

1)Disconnect the steering where the drag link meets the tiller arm to find out where it is seized then come back with the result.

2)Ignore anyone who says not to use grease.