Stiff steering

[jackmanjls]

I have a F90TLR and the steering is so stiff that it feels like the steering wheel is going to rip off the helm.

I disconnected the steering J arm and the motor turns freely. The issue is in the steering tube. The problem is that the steering tube is ~12" in length and the clearance from the side of the tube that has the large nut too the boot where the cable goes into the side of the boat is ~7". I don't see how this will clear.

Is there anyway to repair this without taking the steering tube out?

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[99yam40]

how about lifting motor off the back of boat?
That should give you clearance enough to get the cable out.

But if the problem is inside the tube (rust/corrosion) you might have to replace it anyway

I have used a pipe/tube wire brush on a 1/2" drill motor to clean rust out of the tube before, but is temporary as once rust has started in there it will come back

[jackmanjls]

I just put the boat in the water today, not an easy process. To remove the motor would be impossible.

I have thought about just spraying some type of penatrant to loosen the gunk but would rather do the job correctly.

[ausnoelm]

Anything you spray on it will at best be very temporary, it will have to come out and be done properly some day, the cable cannot come out through the hole it comes through? most can, if not, the motor will have to be unbolted and turned away slightly to allow for the cable to come right out, it's not that hard.

[jackmanjls]

I think I can get the steering tube out w/o moving the motor.

Once out should the slider wire that goes up to the steering come right out or do i have to unbolt at the helm?

Are the Teleflex cables easy to get? I see them on Ebay for <$100. This is reasonable and maybe I should just replace. From your experience is this reasonable or are these cables salvageable? Don't forget I'm in southern FLA and the salt environment is hard on everything.

[99yam40]

Take a good look at that tube.
Seems the whole motor is hanging on it as it pivots up and down.
How do you plan on holding the motor up and in proper place when you remove the tube and line it up to get the new one back in?

[jackmanjls]

That's a surprize...I wasn't aware that the motor had to be supported when the tube is removed. If that's the case then I will have to get this on the trailor.

[ausnoelm]

I think we have mixed parts here, the "tube" referred to, and the steering "rod" need to be better explained, I think the term tube and rod have been mixed up, but I could be wrong, I often am.....

[greasyshaft]

I like to push a similar diameter rod through to push the old tube out.

I just leave that rod in there to hold it all together then I push the new tube back through.

Of course I do this when the engine is hanging.