225 Steering Hard

New poster. Could not find any info in search. I have a 1997 225 HP with hydraulic steering. The steering works fine. The engine is hard to turn while at the dock. I tried to grease the grease fitting on the engine mount to engine connection. Grease only comes out the lower part of the connection tube. I feel the upper part is not getting greased. I tried heating the mounting tube to soften the old grease, so far no help. I'm thinking torch to get some real heat on to the mount. This has been an ongoing problem and getting worse. I don't like the idea of the torch but something needs to be done and we are very comfortable with torches.

Anyone run into this type of tight steering and hard grease?

[jb123]

i think there are also one or 2 on down the tube, trim up to expose them.

Nice site.

I just found this sites parts catalog and now at least can identify the parts. I'm having problems with the steering bracket in the swivel bracket. I can't get the grease into the upper area of the swivel bracket. I see from the parts breakdown, there are nylon bushings on the upper and lower steering bracket. The grease in the swivel bracket is hardened and won't allow new grease from the lower grease fitting to travel up into the upper nylon bearing area. The grease just comes out of the lower part of the swivel bracket.

JB, I checked and there is only one grease fitting and that's the lower grease fitting on the swivel bracket.

[markgabrielli]

Same problem with my yamaha 200

hey crabman, i just came across your thread. Was wonderig if you ever fixed this problem.

[adorina]

Steering Hard

Though I expected this but what are the possible causes and how do I fix this? Its just a day though and I also noticed it doesn't drive straight without 'hands on' steering.