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Author Topic:   Steering

88whaler17 posted 03-12-2003 10:13 AM ET (US)
Dusting off my 88 montauk (live in Florida) that I haven't had out in 2 months, and the motor won't steer. I do have some movement at the engine when I move the wheel, so I am inclined to think it is a lubrication issue. anyone have any tips? 90hp yamaha.
Thanks in advance.
Montauk posted 03-12-2003 11:13 AM ET (US)
Do not torque the wheel to break it loose. Take a block of wood and a hammer and tap on the end of the rod that comes out of the steering tube on port side of the engine. This should break it loose, but you should still remove the cable from the steering tube and clean and hone the steering tube out. There should be a wiper nut(plastic) that helps keep out water on the port side of the steering tube, make sure it is in good condition. Relube the steering tube with a good marine grease before reassembly. If I boated in Florida year round I would do this at least twice a year, as it is I spend one week in saltwater and clean the tube once a year.
John O posted 03-12-2003 11:35 AM ET (US)
try applying heat to the tilt tube CAREFULLY. I had a simular problem with the manual tilt and used a tourch (propane) to heat up the old grease.
Al_A_Buy posted 03-12-2003 01:49 PM ET (US)
...and while the system is torn apart, I would recommend installing a "widget". It is a replacement nut that has a zerk fitting that allows you to grease the steering tube on a regular basis...
Al W.
lhg posted 03-12-2003 02:16 PM ET (US)
What began life as the "Widget" is now called the "Steersman". As recommended, they are a necessity for either mechanical steering or side mount Hydraulic cylinders.
When installing one of these, the engine manufacturer's O-Ring gasket inside of the tilt tube must be removed, as the Steersman has it's own 0-ring. It also replaces the engine's tilt tube nut. If you don't remove this, the grease cannot work its way back into the tilt tube. Change the o-ring gasket in the Steersman nut every season. All of this can be done without the headache of removing the steering ram from the tilt tube, it's main advantage.
Bigshot posted 03-12-2003 03:28 PM ET (US)
Mine is called the "steering buddy" and they run a hefty $25 but well worth it. Larry how do you remove the engines O ring or is that just a mercury thang?
jimh posted 03-13-2003 09:47 AM ET (US)
Only Mercury engines have that O-ring in the tilt tube, and here is the reason:
Back in the 1970's Yamaha bought a Mercury outboard so they could make a copy of it, and their technicians were in the process of disassembling the engine. Right when they got to the tilt tube assembly area, the big horn went off at the Yamaha factory and they all had to muster in the court yard for morning group exercise and inspirational messages from their factory senior management.
While they were out there in the court yard getting the latest information on Yamaha global strategy for taking over the outboard business from American companies, the rubber O-ring in the tilt tube began to expand slightly, and eventually it popped out and fell on the floor.
Ironically, the floor sweeper, a Philippine fellow who had been taken prisoner in World War II and never repatriated to his home country, just happened to come by at that same moment. He swept the O-ring into the corner of the laboratory. It laid there for weeks before anyone noticed it, and by that time none of the Yamaha technicians could figure out where it came from.
Eventually, using the Mercury parts to make molds, Yamaha got their first outboard motor into production. There was no O-ring on the tilt tube to seal off the steering mechanism. Since most of the customers in Japan used tiller steering, this was not a problem.
And that is the story of why only Mercury has an O-ring to properly seal the tilt tube.
88whaler17 posted 03-13-2003 02:13 PM ET (US)
As usual, you guys have the goods. Haven't been able to devote too much time to it this week, but I did a little hammer coaxing on a wood block, but it hasn't broken loose. I have some time this eve for it, but I am definitely taking it apart given everyone's suggestions.
Thank you.
88whaler17 posted 03-13-2003 04:37 PM ET (US)
Based on all of the useful feedback, I opted to take the tube out and replace all fittings and lube, etc. Challenge now is port side tube, with external nut and o-ring out, is still stuck. working on it now. cable on starboard moves in concert with wheel, lots of crud on cable tube on starboard side. My question is really on how this works - how does the cable and tube going into starboard connect with port fixed tube? I may be thinking this port tube needs to come out and maybe it really doesn't. I will post some pics later as I dig through this.
88whaler17 posted 03-17-2003 10:01 AM ET (US)
Wanted to update the result for everyone. I had to drive (force) the steering rod out the starboard side of the tilt tube. Very old packed grease in there - previous owner probably hasn't done this in 15 years (88 yamaha). Used shotgun cleaning wire brush and cleaner to clean inside of tilt tube. Mess. I will tell you that I installed the steersman nuts, and ended up taking them off. Maybe it is just the setup on this engine, but the seal wouldn't stay on the port threads. I ended up buying a replacement for the original. Took it out for a spin last eve and she ran great. Now I am scouring the site for tips on how to clean up all of this grease! Looks like mineral spririts first.... Thanks again for all of the help.

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Author	Topic: Steering
88whaler17	posted 03-12-2003 10:13 AM ET (US) Dusting off my 88 montauk (live in Florida) that I haven't had out in 2 months, and the motor won't steer. I do have some movement at the engine when I move the wheel, so I am inclined to think it is a lubrication issue. anyone have any tips? 90hp yamaha. Thanks in advance.
Montauk	posted 03-12-2003 11:13 AM ET (US) Do not torque the wheel to break it loose. Take a block of wood and a hammer and tap on the end of the rod that comes out of the steering tube on port side of the engine. This should break it loose, but you should still remove the cable from the steering tube and clean and hone the steering tube out. There should be a wiper nut(plastic) that helps keep out water on the port side of the steering tube, make sure it is in good condition. Relube the steering tube with a good marine grease before reassembly. If I boated in Florida year round I would do this at least twice a year, as it is I spend one week in saltwater and clean the tube once a year.
John O	posted 03-12-2003 11:35 AM ET (US) try applying heat to the tilt tube CAREFULLY. I had a simular problem with the manual tilt and used a tourch (propane) to heat up the old grease.
Al_A_Buy	posted 03-12-2003 01:49 PM ET (US) ...and while the system is torn apart, I would recommend installing a "widget". It is a replacement nut that has a zerk fitting that allows you to grease the steering tube on a regular basis... Al W.
lhg	posted 03-12-2003 02:16 PM ET (US) What began life as the "Widget" is now called the "Steersman". As recommended, they are a necessity for either mechanical steering or side mount Hydraulic cylinders. When installing one of these, the engine manufacturer's O-Ring gasket inside of the tilt tube must be removed, as the Steersman has it's own 0-ring. It also replaces the engine's tilt tube nut. If you don't remove this, the grease cannot work its way back into the tilt tube. Change the o-ring gasket in the Steersman nut every season. All of this can be done without the headache of removing the steering ram from the tilt tube, it's main advantage.
Bigshot	posted 03-12-2003 03:28 PM ET (US) Mine is called the "steering buddy" and they run a hefty $25 but well worth it. Larry how do you remove the engines O ring or is that just a mercury thang?
jimh	posted 03-13-2003 09:47 AM ET (US) Only Mercury engines have that O-ring in the tilt tube, and here is the reason: Back in the 1970's Yamaha bought a Mercury outboard so they could make a copy of it, and their technicians were in the process of disassembling the engine. Right when they got to the tilt tube assembly area, the big horn went off at the Yamaha factory and they all had to muster in the court yard for morning group exercise and inspirational messages from their factory senior management. While they were out there in the court yard getting the latest information on Yamaha global strategy for taking over the outboard business from American companies, the rubber O-ring in the tilt tube began to expand slightly, and eventually it popped out and fell on the floor. Ironically, the floor sweeper, a Philippine fellow who had been taken prisoner in World War II and never repatriated to his home country, just happened to come by at that same moment. He swept the O-ring into the corner of the laboratory. It laid there for weeks before anyone noticed it, and by that time none of the Yamaha technicians could figure out where it came from. Eventually, using the Mercury parts to make molds, Yamaha got their first outboard motor into production. There was no O-ring on the tilt tube to seal off the steering mechanism. Since most of the customers in Japan used tiller steering, this was not a problem. And that is the story of why only Mercury has an O-ring to properly seal the tilt tube.
88whaler17	posted 03-13-2003 02:13 PM ET (US) As usual, you guys have the goods. Haven't been able to devote too much time to it this week, but I did a little hammer coaxing on a wood block, but it hasn't broken loose. I have some time this eve for it, but I am definitely taking it apart given everyone's suggestions. Thank you.
88whaler17	posted 03-13-2003 04:37 PM ET (US) Based on all of the useful feedback, I opted to take the tube out and replace all fittings and lube, etc. Challenge now is port side tube, with external nut and o-ring out, is still stuck. working on it now. cable on starboard moves in concert with wheel, lots of crud on cable tube on starboard side. My question is really on how this works - how does the cable and tube going into starboard connect with port fixed tube? I may be thinking this port tube needs to come out and maybe it really doesn't. I will post some pics later as I dig through this.
88whaler17	posted 03-17-2003 10:01 AM ET (US) Wanted to update the result for everyone. I had to drive (force) the steering rod out the starboard side of the tilt tube. Very old packed grease in there - previous owner probably hasn't done this in 15 years (88 yamaha). Used shotgun cleaning wire brush and cleaner to clean inside of tilt tube. Mess. I will tell you that I installed the steersman nuts, and ended up taking them off. Maybe it is just the setup on this engine, but the seal wouldn't stay on the port threads. I ended up buying a replacement for the original. Took it out for a spin last eve and she ran great. Now I am scouring the site for tips on how to clean up all of this grease! Looks like mineral spririts first.... Thanks again for all of the help.