It's gone stiff. The steering, that is...

[SDR]

It\'s gone stiff. The steering, that is...

Hello all,

I have a Sealine 220 which has been out of the water since November of last year, shortly to return if I ever persuade it to part with its old antifouling.

Playing with the controls the other day in an effort to remember what it was like back in the good ol' days when it used to go places, I noticed that the steering seems very stiff, and more so the further off-centre I got. Past 3 on the little Morse scale thingy I gave up, in case something went ping!

I'm sure there's nothing terminally wrong with it, and I'm equally sure it's a lubrication/drying out thing. However my understanding of the mechanics of the steering system is limited in the extreme, so I'm wondering:

1) Where is the stiffness?
2) Is there something I should lubricate?
3) If so, with what?!

Or do I just wait until it gets plonked back in and assume all will be well once it's wet and slimey again?! Oh, and it's a manual system by the way, no power assistance (sadly!).

Any thoughts appreciated... many thanks.

Steve

PS. It's a Volvo 290 leg, if that helps!
<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by SDR on 11/06/2004 16:18 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[StugeronSteve]

Re: It\'s gone stiff. The steering, that is...

I'm only a raggie but I think I would want to know what has caused the problem before the boat goes back in. Crane outs get a bit expensive.

<hr width=100% size=1>Semper Bufo

 

[snowleopard]

Re: It\'s gone stiff. The steering, that is...

if the steering uses morse cables it may be necessary to pull out the inner cables, clean out any gunk and re-lubricate. i had an engine control cable that siezed but is fine now after i cleared out a patch of corrosion inside one of the end sleeves.

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[Col]

Re: It\'s gone stiff. The steering, that is...

Have you also tried greasing the steering fork(s)?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arweb.co.uk/argallery/colspics> Cols Picture Album</A>

 

[oldgit]

Re: Is it an Outdrive?

As Col has indicated the steering fork shaft may need greasing.Well to sort it now cos cannot be sorted once in water.If lubrication does not free the steering,Fork will need to be bashed out,cleaned up and reinstalled with nice coating of grease + new bushes and water seal.Grease nipple is on top of fork shaft?.

<hr width=100% size=1>If it aint broke fix it till it is.

 

[mikewilkes]

Re: It\'s gone stiff. The steering, that is...

Had a problem with my steering a few years ago going through the canals in France. Its cable steering going through the heads on a series of pullies.
Father in law was steering and he said " Dont like the feel of this this, can hardly move it"
Went down in the heads and low and behold MOL had hung her new knickers, very large ones, on the cables. Needless to say they got very chewed up trying to get them out. She did not do it again!!!!

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[SDR]

Re: It\'s gone stiff. The steering, that is...

Haha well, I'm reeeeasonably sure it's not pants in the works, but I'll be sure to check!

It seems the consensus is something to do with this pesky fork, whose nipple I have obviously neglected. Now, I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for there but I know what a fork and a nipple looks like, so I'm sure I'll be able to work it out.

Oh stop rolling your eyes, I'm sure I'm the only person in the worrrrld who's not quite sure what a steering fork looks like, but I have many other special qualities. I'm sure I must. Well, one at least. Maybe. )

If I can't find it I'll come crawling back for a description!

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