Hard steering, kingpin about seized.

[jerryjerry05]

1994 115 P115TLRS 060713
Steering is VERRRRY tight, tried to use heat and add grease and it still is very tight.
I don't have a service manual.
I know it's a big job, any tips or procedures to fix the kingpin and bushings??
Thanks

[panasonic]

Plastic split bushings in there, top and bottom. Shaft is rusty and is rust jacking the bushings in the bore making it tight. The only real way to fix it is to tear it all apart and clean it all up....but that can be a nightmare if it is a saltwater engine. Especially the top mount long bolts.

Is it taking grease at all? Do you see old grease coming out the top and bottom seals?

If it is taking grease, I would continue to keep pumping grease through it and working the engine back and forth and maybe it will free up.

You could also try mixing up some grease with Automatic Transmission fluid and pumping that through it.

[panasonic]

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[99yam40]

never heard it called a King Pin before on an outboard motor.
Truck front straight axel yes

[Bluefish]

If grease is coming out either end wrap a rag a rounded that end tight like a tourniquet and keep on with heat grease and turning in different directions.

[jerryjerry05]

99yam40 your good at correcting people but have no words to help. I was told a long time ago it was a kingpin. Nothing good to add?? add nothing.

I have been heating the mid section with a propane torch and trying to add grease, it takes a little, not much.
I know there's bushings at both ends, I think they're plastic so I don't want to melt them.
And yes it's a saltwater motor. Indian River, Sebastian, Fl.
Panasonic, Thanks for the long bolt info.
Going to get a bit more heat(acetylene) and try some more.

[amahaork]

I am going to replace both bushings: upper and lower after season ends.
It would be nice to have a write-off of this procedure. Please someone post it here.
Thank you.

[panasonic]

I am going to replace both bushings: upper and lower after season ends.
It would be nice to have a write-off of this procedure. Please someone post it here.
Thank you.

Use the search function. There was post not that long ago of a fellow doing the exact same job. His upper bushings were worn out and he posted some pictures I believe. Had trouble with the top mount bolts.

[ausnoelm]

No amount of pumping grease in is going to fix it permanently, you will need to pull it to bits, clean it up, replace plastic bushes and then use the right grease, not the rubbish you use now, that’s what got you into this trouble. It’s not a difficult job, but it’s dirty and time consuming, an engine hoist will make life much easier.

[amahaork]

I am going to replace both bushings: upper and lower after season ends.
It would be nice to have a write-off of this procedure. Please someone post it here.
Thank you.

I got service manual. It's all covered there. Thank you.

[jerryjerry05]

I guess it's not my post anymore??
I used an acetylene torch and turned it down so I wouldn't melt the aluminum.
That and adding grease it improved about 25%
Going to tell the owner he needs a tear down and new bushings (ausnoelm said it).
Got it to pump grease out of the bottom seal, but no where near good.
Thanks