Boston Whaler Steering Problems

[jross]

I have a 17 foot Boston Whaler Montauk with a 90hp motor. Ive had it for about 4 years. The steering wheel used to be easy to turn and handling was excellent. Now, since Christmas, the steering wheel is a real bitch to turn and I cant steer it in tight quarters very well anymore. It takes two hands and alot of exagerated body movements and grunting to get it to turn. I had the steering cable replaced a couple of years ago, and I cant believe that its corroded (although I guess its possible). I hit the zirc fitting with marine bearing grease but that didnt help. I do not want to take it in if I dont have too. I feel like Im being taken advantage everytime I take it in, and I prefer to play around with stuff myself if its not too difficult.

What do you guys think?

Josh Ross
San Pedro, CA

[jross]

Is it possible that the grease thats in the cable is too thick and should be replaced with a lighter grease? If so is there a way to flush the old grease out?

[Freedro]

I think it's time for you to learn some basic maintenance which will lead to you taking on greater maintenance challenges until one day you feel confidient enough to own a twin diesel monster, and then it will be too late for you to realize that you have screwed yourself.

Seriously, go down to West Marine and buy a cable set, follow the directions and replace it. Next thing you know, you'll be doing all or most of your own maintenance. There's nothing wrong with knowing how to twist a wrench.

Unfortunately, there is no way to change the grease in a steering cable system. With hydraulic helm systems you bleed them out like bleeding brakes on a car. With cable systems, the best thing you can do is rinse down real good after every use and liberally apply WD-40 to the rods at the ends of the cables. That's the best you can do.

[firefyterx]

Some of the cables at the motor end have a grease zirk.... If it does you can try greasing it.

[ROBERTO REYES]

you have to isolate the problem
Disengage the nut that holds the steering cable rod
from the engine, and turn the steering cable alone and
turn the engine by hand without the cable.
My guess is that you have not done the proper
maintenance and that the engine needs grease on
the swivel braket, the lubricating point tends to be kind
of hidden on modst engines, you will have to look for it.
You dont say what beand is your outboard, but
buy the shop manual, probably the best $30 or so
bucks , and you will enjoy working on your engine.
also, when lubricating the steering cable, make sure
it is fully retracted on the housing, or you will risk
hydraulic lock.
send me a pm if you get lost

[jross]

you have to isolate the problem
Disengage the nut that holds the steering cable rod
from the engine, and turn the steering cable alone and
turn the engine by hand without the cable.

Ok I tried that today, and found that the cable seems to work fine, moves freely when not connected to the motor. The motor is very difficult to turn by hand.

My guess is that you have not done the proper
maintenance and that the engine needs grease on
the swivel braket, the lubricating point tends to be kind
of hidden on modst engines, you will have to look for it.

Maintanence? Whats that? Seriously, I did lube it and it seems to have helped, but not that much.

You dont say what beand is your outboard, but
buy the shop manual, probably the best $30 or so
bucks , and you will enjoy working on your engine.

Its a Mercury 4 Stroke 90 HP. I have the manual but it wasnt very helpful.

also, when lubricating the steering cable, make sure
it is fully retracted on the housing, or you will risk
hydraulic lock.
send me a pm if you get lost

This is a possibility. I could have very well lubed it while it was NOT retracted. If I have Hydraulic Lock what should I do?

If thats not it, Im stumped. At least I know its not the cable.

Thanks for all the help everybody.

[ROBERTO REYES]

You already know the problem, you engine should move freely
from side to side when not hooked to the cable.you dont have hydraulic lock.
You need to lubricate the swivel braket until grease come pouring out of it.
This is what you did not do properly before, and should do from now on.
Anyways, now that you know whats wrong, call and ask for prices to diferent
local mechanics, just explain whats going on.
And the problem is not related to the boston whaler, but the engine, there are many forums related to that, "google it", its fun to "do it yourself " and spend the money fishing. http://forum.doityourself.com/showthread.php?p=1168438

[scrounger]

do not forget to use marine grease or you will end up with more binding no matter how much you put in there. work the engine back and forth a bunch and pump grease through it until it comes out clean. that is unless you want to teke it apart and clean the bracke properly, wich seems like it would be worth it to check for damage.

[jross]

Man Im so embarrassed.... Roberto you were right on. Last night I hit the swivel bracket with lube, moved the motor back and forth but didnt notice much of a difference. Then after driving it around all day today, I noticed that it was getting easier and easier to turn. It still wasnt the way it was before, but much better. Then I hit it again and it seemed to work even better. So I (taking scroungers idea) kept pumping the new grease in there until I could see all the old grease (black) oozing out the other ends. Eventually it came out red (new grease). Its still not perfect, but so much better than before. Much less effort to turn the wheel. I will just keep greasing it after every use and hopefully it will be back like new again. Thanks for the advice everybody. :thumps: :D

[scrounger]

you do not need to grease it every time just keep at it often. making sure that you always have grease in the fitting is the key. it is all in how you use the boat i guess.