Help for frozen steering cable

[bullhead]

I've been storing my brother's boat for him since last fall. I guess I'm a bad brother, as I didn't think to go out and turn the engine once in awhile to keep it from freezing up. Also should have greased the arm but didn't.

He has a 60hp Honda....So, I disconnected the steering arm from the steeing rod, as well as the nut on the starboard side, where the cable enters the engine sleeve...Also, loosened the nut on the port side.

Then I sprayed lubricant on the ends and tried freeing up the steering rod, by driving the steering rod back out of the sleeve...but she won't budge.

I would try applying heat, but his gas hose and where it connects to the engine are pretty close, actually too close, for me to heat it with a propane torch.

Any tips or thoughts on what else to do here? If I don't get it done today I would love any recommendations on where to take it tomorrow to get it fixed by Wednesday, as he's flying in on Thursday from Sacramento to go fishing with it.

Thanks so much for the help!

Dan

[Dan Feller]

This happened to me a few years back. You might try a heat gun, heating and cooling it a few times might help. Mine took a LOT of pounding with a brass hammer, Try taking a wrench and twisting the rod back and forth to break it free before pounding on it. Once you knock it back to the tube you will need a dowel or rod to continue driving it through. I would recommend putting a floor mat or something over the transom to avoid banging up the transom like I did...

Good luck!

[bullhead]

This happened to me a few years back. You might try a heat gun, heating and cooling it a few times might help. Mine took a LOT of pounding with a brass hammer, Try taking a wrench and twisting the rod back and forth to break it free before pounding on it. Once you knock it back to the tube you will need a dowel or rod to continue driving it through. I would recommend putting a floor mat or something over the transom to avoid banging up the transom like I did...

Good luck!

Thanks...I'll give those a try.

[KChookem]

Hi Dan...

I hope you've resolved your problem, but if not ...

I've replaced two or three steering cables, and, based on my experience, 'your' problem has been building before last Fall, although cranking the wheel every month or so would not have hurt. Read down for my comments on greasing steering cables.

FYI - I have a Honda 90 on an Arima, with Teleflex steering, so my comments are based on that experience.

There have been a number of threads over the years, and several the past months about this problem - your can search the archives for others opinions.

If you've not yet broken the steering cable free from the tilt tube, here is what several boat mechanics recommend (and likely what they'll do if you take it to a shop)... Disconnect the steering cable from the tilt tube at both ends (you may have done this, and well as the lubrication with something WD40, penetrating lube, etc). Hold a hunk of 2x4 on the steering cable end, and give it some sharp whacks with a BFH (Big Friggin Hammer). A friend did this and he had to hit it very hard, a number of times, but it broke free.

On my boat, I find getting the steering cable out of the tilt tube much easier if I disconnect the cable under the helm where it attaches to the steering column. I have four little bolts that I simply remove from the rack and pinion.

Once you have the steering cable out of the tilt tube, you should clean out the tilt tube, which is likely one of the problems (grease, water and other gunk build up inside, and it looks and acts like rust has tightened up all around the steering cable.) I use a big, long, course rat-tail file from both ends.

If the steering is still very hard to move, your problem may be a cable that needs replacing. If a replacement is needed, the make, size etc is stamped along the black outer sheath. If the steering is sluggish to good, you can proceed to ...

... Cleaning the steering cable end is the next step. You'll find you a stainless steel shaft inside the SS shaft that you see when the steering is connected to the motor. You'll probably see a dark brown coating on the SS; it may be very hard. You need to clean that dried grease and gunk off the SS shaft. You may need to take steel wool or a scraper to it; the SS is pretty tough, but I would avoid gouges or significant scratches.

Here is where people differ... greasing or oiling the SS shaft or the steering cable. Mechanics do it, HOWEVER, the technicians at Teleflex, the makers of steering cables, one of whom I've personally discussed the problem, will tell you that will only cause problems, except that a VERY LIGHT rubbing of a lithium based grease is okay, and should be done twice a year for saltwater use (once a year for freshwater). Since I followed their advice many years ago, my steering (knock on wood), has been smooth and easy... literally like new.

[bullhead]

KChookem, thanks for the great advice.

I haven't got it yet and the only things I have tried is disconnecting it from the helm, and hitting with and larger hammer. Will give these a try this a.m. but I'm afraid the cable is probably going to need to be replaced.

We'll get at it this morning.

Appreciate the tips.

Dan

[dieselpwr]

You could away check the cable where it meets up at the helm. This seams to be a place most do not often check.

[KChookem]

Back at the motor, be sure to back off the large nut ON the steering cable that attaches it to the tilt tube. Mine is on the Starboard side, and it takes two (2) large wrenches, one wrench to hold the nut that aligns the tilt tube, and the second wrench to back off the nut on the steering cable.

You do NOT want to remove the tilt tube (unless your significant other can lift and positon a 400 lb motor while you get the tilt tube and shims back into place).