1998 Mercury 90: Steering Cable Jams In Tilt Tube

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Author Topic:   1998 Mercury 90: Steering Cable Jams In Tilt Tube

DonSSDD posted 06-15-2008 08:27 AM ET (US)
When turning the wheel to the left full, the [steering actuator arm] on the port side of [the 1998 Mercury 90-HP outboard motor] that the [drag link] fastens onto jams inside the [tilt] tube. I believe this is a common problem. This has happened before. I cleaned and oiled [the shaft on the port side], but that doesn't seem to be working this time. [The 1998 Mercury 90-HP motor] is on a Montauk, saltwater use only. I wondered if the problem is likely inside that tube on the motor mount? Or could it be inside the cable running from the steering wheel?
Thanks for any help.
Don
jimh posted 06-15-2008 09:02 AM ET (US)
Disconnect the drag link from the steering actuator. Turn the wheel hard to the left and see if it still jams. If so, then remove the steering actuator from the tilt tube, and test again. This will determine if the source of the problem is the motor, the tilt tube, or the actuator itself.
DonSSDD posted 06-15-2008 03:33 PM ET (US)
With the drag link disconnected from the actuator, the actuator is still stuck in the tube. If I remove the large nut on the port side that fastens the actuator (it runs up to the wheel) on the starboard end of the tilt tube, the actuator will move out of the tube 6 or 8 inches. The port end that the drag link fastens to stays stationary.
With the drag link disconnected from the actuator, the motor moves left to right very freely.
I managed to get the actuator unstuck and the steering works fine for about 80% of its left to right motion, it just won't turn completely left, and sticks hard for the last 20%.
Hard to describe and to know if I am using the correct terms- can I email or post pictures?
Thanks,
Don
jimh posted 06-15-2008 05:47 PM ET (US)
Corrosion inside the tilt tube mechanism has often been reported from owners of Mercury motors who operate in saltwater. I believe that Mercury may have replacement tilt tubes available and with stainless steel construction. Perhaps one of the Mercury specialists to participate here can help.
Corrosion in the tilt tube is reported to be reduced if you use a special end nut fitting which has a good O-ring seal and a grease fitting. This allows you to maintain grease in the tilt tube which is said to suppress corrosion.
DonSSDD posted 06-15-2008 07:45 PM ET (US)
Thanks Jim, that is very helpful.
Don
outragesteve posted 06-16-2008 03:35 AM ET (US)
You can replace the tube but it can be allot of work and agrevation! I've used a long drill bit (I think it is 3/4") and simply honed out the tube. Use allot of WD-40, Corrosion Block,etc. as a lubricant and drill straight through the bore of the tube. Good luck.
Tom Hemphill posted 06-16-2008 07:13 AM ET (US)
The clean the light rust in my tilt tube, I used a tool I made years ago to hone brake cylinders. It's a wooden dowel with a slot cut in the side, and a finishing nail driven in the end to chuck into an electric drill. Emery paper is started in the slot and wrapped around the dowel.
Undaunted1 posted 06-16-2008 11:14 AM ET (US)
For what it is worth, I never walk away from my boat without turning the steering hard to store the bar in the tube. I've not had a repaeat of the problem once I started doing that.
Scott
Tom W Clark posted 06-16-2008 12:36 PM ET (US)
Scott,
That is good advice.
kwik_wurk posted 06-16-2008 02:30 PM ET (US)
Like Jimh said, you should try and isolate the problem.
But if I had to guess: a new SS tilt tube is in store for you. I have had the exact problem on two 90hp Mercs. (Each one required a SS tilt tube.) Cleaning the tilt tube only gets you a summer of use.
DonSSDD posted 06-16-2008 09:50 PM ET (US)
Scott, I was storing it that way, still had the problem. The honing will make it a bit bigger- likely help a lot. The SS would work too- where and how much?
I would have to drive the actuator back through the tube- will it go all the way through- enough give on the cable on the starboard side? Or do you disconnect it at the wheel end?
Don
L H G posted 06-17-2008 10:07 AM ET (US)
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/013524.html .
This is what you need to know.
outragesteve posted 06-18-2008 12:48 AM ET (US)
Some more info: If getting the steering cable out of the tilt tube is difficult, you can try hammering it out while someone pulls from the other end (side) of the engine. First, disconnected the attachment arm and "plug" the hole at the end of the cable with a sawed-off bolt or anything that will keep it from getting out of round when you a apply the hammer. Use a wooden dowl (3/4" I think) that will drive out the cable I have also used an old steering cable and just cut it off about 12' from the end: It makes a great "driving" tool. Good luck!
DonSSDD posted 06-19-2008 09:21 PM ET (US)
I like the Steersman, looks like the solution.
They are also sold under the brand Seachoice.
Thanks,
Don

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Author	Topic: 1998 Mercury 90: Steering Cable Jams In Tilt Tube
DonSSDD	posted 06-15-2008 08:27 AM ET (US) When turning the wheel to the left full, the [steering actuator arm] on the port side of [the 1998 Mercury 90-HP outboard motor] that the [drag link] fastens onto jams inside the [tilt] tube. I believe this is a common problem. This has happened before. I cleaned and oiled [the shaft on the port side], but that doesn't seem to be working this time. [The 1998 Mercury 90-HP motor] is on a Montauk, saltwater use only. I wondered if the problem is likely inside that tube on the motor mount? Or could it be inside the cable running from the steering wheel? Thanks for any help. Don
jimh	posted 06-15-2008 09:02 AM ET (US) Disconnect the drag link from the steering actuator. Turn the wheel hard to the left and see if it still jams. If so, then remove the steering actuator from the tilt tube, and test again. This will determine if the source of the problem is the motor, the tilt tube, or the actuator itself.
DonSSDD	posted 06-15-2008 03:33 PM ET (US) With the drag link disconnected from the actuator, the actuator is still stuck in the tube. If I remove the large nut on the port side that fastens the actuator (it runs up to the wheel) on the starboard end of the tilt tube, the actuator will move out of the tube 6 or 8 inches. The port end that the drag link fastens to stays stationary. With the drag link disconnected from the actuator, the motor moves left to right very freely. I managed to get the actuator unstuck and the steering works fine for about 80% of its left to right motion, it just won't turn completely left, and sticks hard for the last 20%. Hard to describe and to know if I am using the correct terms- can I email or post pictures? Thanks, Don
jimh	posted 06-15-2008 05:47 PM ET (US) Corrosion inside the tilt tube mechanism has often been reported from owners of Mercury motors who operate in saltwater. I believe that Mercury may have replacement tilt tubes available and with stainless steel construction. Perhaps one of the Mercury specialists to participate here can help. Corrosion in the tilt tube is reported to be reduced if you use a special end nut fitting which has a good O-ring seal and a grease fitting. This allows you to maintain grease in the tilt tube which is said to suppress corrosion.
DonSSDD	posted 06-15-2008 07:45 PM ET (US) Thanks Jim, that is very helpful. Don
outragesteve	posted 06-16-2008 03:35 AM ET (US) You can replace the tube but it can be allot of work and agrevation! I've used a long drill bit (I think it is 3/4") and simply honed out the tube. Use allot of WD-40, Corrosion Block,etc. as a lubricant and drill straight through the bore of the tube. Good luck.
Tom Hemphill	posted 06-16-2008 07:13 AM ET (US) The clean the light rust in my tilt tube, I used a tool I made years ago to hone brake cylinders. It's a wooden dowel with a slot cut in the side, and a finishing nail driven in the end to chuck into an electric drill. Emery paper is started in the slot and wrapped around the dowel.
Undaunted1	posted 06-16-2008 11:14 AM ET (US) For what it is worth, I never walk away from my boat without turning the steering hard to store the bar in the tube. I've not had a repaeat of the problem once I started doing that. Scott
Tom W Clark	posted 06-16-2008 12:36 PM ET (US) Scott, That is good advice.
kwik_wurk	posted 06-16-2008 02:30 PM ET (US) Like Jimh said, you should try and isolate the problem. But if I had to guess: a new SS tilt tube is in store for you. I have had the exact problem on two 90hp Mercs. (Each one required a SS tilt tube.) Cleaning the tilt tube only gets you a summer of use.
DonSSDD	posted 06-16-2008 09:50 PM ET (US) Scott, I was storing it that way, still had the problem. The honing will make it a bit bigger- likely help a lot. The SS would work too- where and how much? I would have to drive the actuator back through the tube- will it go all the way through- enough give on the cable on the starboard side? Or do you disconnect it at the wheel end? Don
L H G	posted 06-17-2008 10:07 AM ET (US) http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/013524.html . This is what you need to know.
outragesteve	posted 06-18-2008 12:48 AM ET (US) Some more info: If getting the steering cable out of the tilt tube is difficult, you can try hammering it out while someone pulls from the other end (side) of the engine. First, disconnected the attachment arm and "plug" the hole at the end of the cable with a sawed-off bolt or anything that will keep it from getting out of round when you a apply the hammer. Use a wooden dowl (3/4" I think) that will drive out the cable I have also used an old steering cable and just cut it off about 12' from the end: It makes a great "driving" tool. Good luck!
DonSSDD	posted 06-19-2008 09:21 PM ET (US) I like the Steersman, looks like the solution. They are also sold under the brand Seachoice. Thanks, Don