Corpusfishing.com

[Blast-n-Cast]

Well I was doing a bunch of maintenance on my dads boat go get ready for another cabin trip next weekend when I ran into a snag. I got the lower unit lube drained and filled up with new, changed out the water pump, and changed the oil and filter and then noticed the steering is froze up. It happened before (found out at the boat ramp) and I was able to free it up after some coaxing with a hammer and a 2x4 but this time it does not want to budge. I tried loosening the bolts on both ends of the rod on the steering cable but when I was trying to turn the wheel it would just make a popping noise. At one point I noticed a piece of cable coming out of one of the (2) pieces of cable (about 24" each) that dead end under the console so I turned the wheel the other way and it sucked back in. Anybody got any insight on what to try next other than taking it in somewhere? Not sure if it matters but its a Bluewave 220 with a Honda 4 stroke 130. Manuel steering.


Thanks

[Stoner150]

If it will mot come free with the hammer and 2x4 persuader, it is frozen in the sleeve of the steering cable and will require replacement, at least that has been my experience

Jeff
_________________
Wishin I was fishin!

Jeff

[Rebecca of Sunnybrookfarm]

[OSOFARAWAY]

I had the same problem on my boat trying to replace the old cable, I had to take pressure off the motor/lower unit by lowering the motor on a large piece of railroad tie. Once the pressure was off the lower unit I was able to break it loose. This is the best penetrating product on the market, you will have to do some searching for it because it's not available @ Box stores. Try a dealer locator thru google.

BG In-Force
An ion-activated penetrating oil which stops rust, and lubricates and frees rusted parts. It can also be used in assembly applications. When bonded to metal, it forms a protective coating and lubricating surface which is enhanced by other lubricants and corrosion inhibitors.
Part No. 438

[critter getter]

If you had a cable coming out of the helm and the motor wasn't turning sounds like a broke cable. For as the froze cable get a map gas torch or cutting torch and heat up where the cable slides in the motor and use a small sledge hammer and a block once its hot. it should come out with a little work.

[Uncle D]

The cable under under the helm should be the tag end of the inner part of the cable itself. If not broken, it should be OK. The Push-Pull rod of the cable at the motor is frozen inside the sleeve. You might do the penetrating oil and block and hammer or in really bad cases, heat the sleeve with a torch/then lube then torch.....good luck

[gunbuyer]

You might want to disconnect the cable from the helm so you do not strip the rack and pinion when hammering on the cable on the tilt tube. I went through this a couple months ago.... I broke mine and had to buy a new one. Ebay cheap and fast... Good Luck

[Skipper]

[Capt Mike Singleterry]

sounds to me like critter getter said the cable is broken. If you planning on keeping the boat for a few more years I would plan on changing the cable out. There is also a greese fitting type nut you can buy that will stop any future problems, you can grease the cable without taking the cable off the motor.

Hope you get your problems solved.

greese nut link.... http://www.bobsmachine.com/Products/maintance_Parts_EZN.cfm

Mike

[Blast-n-Cast]

Thanks for all the input. I dont think the steering cable is broken it is probably just my lame explanation and/or lack of proper terminology. I am going to mess with it some more this afternoon and see what happens I am also considering going hydraulic if I can get the parts before I have to head down to the cabin next week. My buddies from out of town are coming down again so I need to get the boat operational. I will try and snap some pics today to better explain what I am talking about.

[Blast-n-Cast]

Well I seemed to get the cable freed up for the most part. I just undid the nut on the side where the cable goes in and unhooked everything on the other side and worked it with a hammer and 2x4. Once I got the cable most of the way out I used a piece of 1/2" allthread and cleaned out the gunk from inside. Put it back together but I think I may have messed up the gear box (not sure what its called) yesterday. The rod moved a little but something is not right. I started to try to take the thing off but got stuck after I took the nut off the steering wheel. It just did not want to come off. Is there a trick to getting the steering wheel off. I want to get at the gear box underneath to see how the cable attaches and make sure its not somthing I can fix before I go buy some new parts. I also snapped some pics of the cable coming out that I was describing earlier.






Cable coming out!


How do I get this sucker off?

[Mad Dog]

Go to Northern Tool and get one of these.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200396127_200396127
or
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_13315_13315

Might be able to borrow one from Autozone.

MD
_________________
Ego piscor, ergo sum

http://s175.photobucket.com/albums/w150/cstockton/Aquasport/

[ironmanstan]

they make a honning tool just for that like a brake cylinder hone. cleans it up all brite an shiney. then use never sieze , that suff works i use it all the time.
_________________
I LIKE MINE FRIED.

[Blast-n-Cast]

Thanks Mad Dog and others for the replys. Since I'm in a bit of a time crunch with my buddies getting here next Wednesday night I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a Hydraulic steering system. It should be here Wednesday so I am really cutting it close. I am going to take my manual system apart to get ready for the new gear so that when it gets here I just have to install it. I guess I need to get my hands on a puller for the steering wheel