Focus on areas with built-up grime and stitching. Systems, Lowrance Hook2-4 GPS Just a little grease and light oil applied as demonstrated in this Mercury Quick Tip will not only help your engine have a long, trouble-free life, it will also ensure your steering is smooth and responsive every time you hit the water. Remove the hex nuts holding steering links and pull the steering cable out. If there are wires inside your pedestal, make sure they are in good condition and secured so that they cant make contact with the chain. I do my winches every two years. Your desire for excellence can be met by this outboard and bearing grease for boat. Star Brite 26016 Wheel Bearing Grease 1lb Can. The cable moves inside an outer flexible sleeve that protects the cable and the boat from damage. You should become familiar with your steering system and know how to diagnose common issues. Wear gloves while you clean to avoid getting more body oil on the steering wheel and to protect yourself from any chemicals. Note the smaller nylock nuts on the ends of the steering links. If the wheel is tight and the shaft turns with . Hitches, & Generally they have a fitting on them for a grease gun, don't they? Everything about the boat was in top shape and the motor has been nothing short of perfect since the day I picked it up. 11. How To Lube Steering Cable On Boat the Right Way Straight From The Pros! If adding grease doesnt fix the issue, it is time for the boat to come out of the water for inspection and repair. There is a steering quadrant that is bolted onto the rudder shaft. If the boat has sat and the grease is allowed to harden or corrosion allowed to build up, the cable end will not move freely through the tube. Accessories, Marine DC Power Plugs You can try adjusting the trim tab on the bottom of the anti-cav plate. All rights reserved. Heres Why, Is Magnet Fishing Legal In California? Parts, Inflatable Aim to clean your steering wheel at least once a month. 2 - Steering cable might be bent, rusty or need lubrication. Larger vessels can also have multiple steering cylinders. This is normally done at the helm. Meters, Marine Electrical Panels But be sure to replace the tilt tube when necessary, such as when it is greatly rusted. This article was co-authored by Angel Ricardo and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Insider Information You Should Know. 2010 AR240 RED, Hydrophase Ridesteady Cruise Control, automated 2400lb ballast (3x800lbs) = Gatlin transom ballast bag +500lbs, wakewedge, Thrustvector wake, seadek, sound proofing, painted trailed, stock impellers, lucky 13 cones, Volvo Trim Tabs, RGB led cup and speaker rings, Boat Buckles bow/stern, welded bow stop, 2nd battery, Inland Surfer Red Rocket board, and sweet spot ultra. Pumps, Marine Pump Replacement Ski, Wakeboard Kits, Boat Trailer It is important to know how your boat is set up so you can effectively troubleshoot problems and find any pesky leaks. Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Be careful not to add too much, or you can blow out the seals, depending on the type. Furniture, Boat Seat Pedestals & Dock, Cabin and Systems, Marine Plumbing Fasten the cable screw using an open-end tool if the cable slides. Sherman; McGraw Hill Professional, 2008; p. 93 ff, This project involves work with power tools and other equipment; appropriate caution is advised. Winches, Boat Motor Supports & Inspect the steering rack's wire nut to make sure the nut is tight and the cable is moving smoothly. Angel Ricardo is the owner of Ricardo's Mobile Auto Detail headquartered in Venice, California. Remove the binnacle from your steering pedestal and you are 10 times more likely to find a sprocket than a gear, because most wheel-steered sailboats produced in this country have a chain-and-wire system that turns the rudder by pulling on a pair of wire ropeslike reins on a horse. There is also a metal inner sleeve covering this end of the cable with a hole to attach the cable to the steering arm on the motor. When it retracts, it pulls the motor in the opposite direction. So I took it apart. Seats, Pontoon Boat Seats & Start at the Steering Arm 2. You are using an out of date browser. First, find the grease fitting and add a little grease to see if this will fix it. Then the wire ropes run aft to the rudder, where they attach to opposite sides of a disk or a quadrant thats affixed to the rudder shaft. Read the complete article on the Mercury Marine Dockline blog: https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/dockline/quick-tip-how-to-use-safety-chains-with-your-boat-trailer/..Visit our website!https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/Check us out on social!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mercurymarine/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MercuryMarineTwitter: https://twitter.com/MercuryMarineTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mercurymarineLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mercury-marine/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mercurymarine/ Tiller steering, for example, is the most rigid, and therefore the most dependable, as it requires the least amount of maintenance. To unfreeze a boat steering cable, you will need the following items: Penetrating oil: WD-40 or a marine lubricant is recommended. Like rudder-head gears, those housed in a pedestal also need to be cleaned and lubricated with Teflon grease. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Whether youre performing regular maintenance or cleaning the wheel more thoroughly, you can make your steering wheel shine! 2. Bilge Pumps, Shop This is normally not a problem, but prudence dictates having a redundant steering system like an emergency tiller or kicker motor if you plan to be a long way from civilization. Spray the inside with a good quality lubricant that can easily penetrate in this section. The adjustment is much easier shown than explained. Deals, Pumps & Plumbing If any of them wobble, replace the axle pins. Step 1 - Retract the boat steering cable into the tilt tube by turning the steering wheel as far as you can to one side. If there is a bare spot on the rack, you will need a new cable. Even if there is no steering linked to the engine, if the adjustment tab is positioned appropriately, the motor will stay straight. Have a buddy turn the wheel whilst you monitor the wire at the tilt section to make sure the cable screw on the outboards slant tube is snug. Be sure to use one with a zerk fitting, which is suitable for lubricating easily in the future. You may need special equipment like a torch or a push rod to get the cable end out of the tilt tube. Typically, there will be an adjusting screw beneath a geared quadrant, right below the pinion. If your boat is equipped, this is where you will check/add fluid if needed. Anchor Box Anchors, Fishing Rod & Reel Replace or repair your pontoon boat steering wheel with pieces from Pontoon Specialists! Use the appropriate cleaner for your steering wheels material. How Safe and Reliable Are Inboard Electric Motors? If you disconnect the cable from the helm and the problem is still there, you have a problem with the helm. This task of lubricating your steering cable involves dealing with power tools. References. Zincs, Generator Aug 24, 2010. Looking down at it from the back of the motor, turn it counter clockwise. $89.99. Cushions, Lexington Telescopes, Covers and If somehow the cable nuts from both ends of the steering wire are snug, replace them. Common problems with outboard boat steering include steering that becomes stiff suddenly, steering that locks up completely, and steering that turns in one direction easily, but does not turn in another. First, even the tiniest current leak can produce rampant corrosion. If the rudderstock is solid, it must be keyed, through-bolted, or possibly machined square where the disk or quadrant is located. The tracking is affected by any free movement in these, which is usually seen as irregular wear on the tyres outside edges. Ed Sherman is a regular contributor to boats.com, as well as to Professional Boatbuilder and Cruising World, where he previously was electronics editor. You may also pull the cap off by going to the contrary direction of the screw and prying it out if its severely tight in place. If there is air, you will see bubbles coming through the hoses. While installing the new system, I cleaned the tilt tube out with engine cleaner and a wire brush. Instruments, VHF Radios & This material may not be posted on another website. Once you and your passengers are safe, begin to assess the situation. You offset the skeg to compensate for torque steer. AN If you are underway and notice a problem, it is best to return to a safe port or dock if possible. Then add the correct 10-micron water-separating fuel filter between the fuel tank and the engine. Although I run a fiberglass my boat is the same age as yours and my steer cables seem to be nearing the end of their life. Then, remove the steering arm right from the tube gently. ACCOUNT, Find If the cable is routed properly and nothing is impinging it, you will need a new cable. Deals, Trailering Use paper towels if you dont have an extra cleaning cloth. boats.com, 1221 Brickell Avenue, 23rd Floor, Miami, FL 33131, USA. Dont apply too much pressure while youre cleaning or else it may lift some of the color from the material. Bilge Pump, Tires, Rims, & Hub The cleaner should start to bubble as you work it into the material. Steering wheel being loose can be caused by a couple of things. Pop the center out of wheel and make sure the shaft is turning with the wheel and no free play there. Here are step-by-step instructions for keeping your marine engine's steering linkages properly lubricated. Put your tube into the vise that will keep it stable and secure. Rollers, Boat Trailer Start by adding dimensions A + B + C. For installations through engine tilt tube. If the wheel was loose, the keyway may be beaten out and giving you too much play. & Rings, Prop Nut Kits & Manufacturer, Boat Tables & If this is the issue, tighten the nut once more. To diagnose problems with mechanical steering, you must first isolate each component. Then work the wheel back and forth. Galley, Barbeque Electronic systems are the latest and offer the ultimate in modern performance. First, you probably don't have the motor trimed up enough. You cannot paste images directly. Disconnect the rack or remove the cable end from the rotary gear. Try to move out of high traffic areas if possible and anchor or tie off to a structure or even another boat. Typically, this involves inserting the tip of a squeeze tube of Teflon grease into a hole in the bearing housing. Cables for rotary systems have one end that is flexible and textured so that the teeth of the rotary gear connected to the steering wheel will grab it to move the cable back and forth. Platforms, Slide You will need to inspect the traditional system components before getting underway to reduce the likelihood of a problem. Set this up by first running a hose from a container filled with hydraulic fluid(this can be the hydraulic fluid bottle came in) to the reservoir at the helm. Harware, Marine Nuts, Bolts, & If you do not have a redundant steering system or the parts and tools to fix the problem, you should anchor if possible and call for assistance. To make your own steering wheel cleaner, mix 3 parts all-purpose cleaner with 1 part water in a spray bottle. Some areas have towing services that will help for a fee. You can even use it to clean the entire interior of your vehicle. Fasteners, Boat Windshield The unit comes apart after you remove the steering wheel, by remove the big center nut under cover. Privacy Statement. Once the missing spline has been located mark it. Always add fluid in stages, turning the wheel from lock to lock several times in between. If the cable end looks good, then youll have to replace the rotary mechanism. If somehow the cable nuts from both ends of the steering wire are snug, replace them. Them for a grease gun, do n't they that protects the cable end out of the tilt tube is. 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While you clean to avoid getting more body oil on the rack or remove the big nut...