CONTINUOUSWAVE

[On a boat described as a 1993 MONTAUK--and please note that FOUR DIGITS should always be used to indicate a year--and presumed to be a MONTAUK 17--please note that a clear identification of a boat includes the model year, the family, and the model descriptor] there is a 2008 Yamaha 90 TLR [two-stroke-power-cycle] engine with TELEFLEX steering [of unknown type but presumed to be using mechanical cable] that was installed in 2008.

A new steering cable and helm [actuator] have just been installed, and all the parts are new except for the 2008 Yamaha steering guide link [perhaps means the drag link between the steering actuator rod and the engine tiller].

When the installer returned the boat to me, the [steering wheel] turns very stiffly. I think there is binding in the linkage.

I disconnected [something, probably means the drag link between the steering cable and the engine tiller] and things work freely. I think [the installer] may have have the linkage wrong.

I have tried a couple of things [to improve the steering] and [now the steering has less binding] but it is not perfect.

I have a diagram of the steering guide components but no reference to which way the sleeve and linkage install. For example:

Q1: is the bolt head on top or bottom at the engine yoke [tiller]?

I would like a read to show me a photograph of how the sleeve and linkage install and how to orient the bolt head at the engine yoke [for a my unidentified TELEFLEX cable steering installation on a 2008 Yamaha 90 TLR engine].

I have a manual for the engine. I have not found anything on the steering guide accessory.

Wheelwatch wrote:Q1: is the bolt head on top or bottom at the engine yoke [tiller]?

To assess if the orientation of the bolt at the engine yoke or tiller will have an effect on the binding, try changing the orientation of the bold and then testing to see if the binding improves.

Wheelwatch wrote:I have a diagram of the steering guide components...

Can you share this diagram with readers by providing a URL to where it can be obtained from the TELEFLEX website?

My experience with TELEFLEX is they generally provide very good literature with excellent illustrations for their outboard engine steering products. To hear that there is some ambiguity in the recommended manner of installing their product comes as a surprise.

Q2: when you say the steering wheel force is higher than anticipated, is this occurring while the boat is underway or when the boat is not underway?

Q3: have you disconnected the drag link between the steering and the outboard engine tiller, and then tested the engine to see of the binding is a result of some friction in the engine rotation?