Stiff outboard turning

[gary111160]

I have 2 1996 yamaha 150's and the steering was tight when I bought the boat. Assuming it was the old hydraulic steering which leaked and was well past its sell by date I bought a new kit to fit. Once I had removed the old kit and connecting bar its obvious that the starboard engine is stiff to move by hand from side to side unlike the port engine which is fine.

I can't see any grease nipples and the everywhere I've searched online and manuals doesn't help me.

Does anyone have any experience of freeing up and where to grease? All comments appreciated.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Better results might come from asking that question in the motorboat forum. In general we are not familiar with that sort of hardware on here.

 

[Boater Sam]

I would oil the pivot first and let it soak.

 

[CliveF]

Have you tilted the motor right up with the power trim and had a look behind the leg , where it is normally up tight against the transom.
should be tucked away near the top 1/3rd of the pivot tube.

Educated guess , good luck / look .

Clive

 

[VicS]

I have 2 1996 yamaha 150's and the steering was tight when I bought the boat. Assuming it was the old hydraulic steering which leaked and was well past its sell by date I bought a new kit to fit. Once I had removed the old kit and connecting bar its obvious that the starboard engine is stiff to move by hand from side to side unlike the port engine which is fine.

I can't see any grease nipples and the everywhere I've searched online and manuals doesn't help me.

Does anyone have any experience of freeing up and where to grease? All comments appreciated.

I think you may have to dismantle the steering swivel, clean and regressed the bushes. Parts #9 in this diagram
https://cdn.boats.net/cdn-cgi/image/quality=50/MTA/d/6/MjE3NDY0-6bd530be.png
Looks like a big job if I'm right

 

[QBhoy]

Hi. Did you remove the ram from the steering tube and it’s still stiff you mean ?
there is usually a grease nipple on the steering tube and on the steering bush itself

 

[CliveF]

I agree with Vic big job but from the diagram that is what you will have to do. Good luck.
If you do whilst it is in bits i think I would be drilling and fitting two grease nipples at suitable points on the tube to prevent a reoccurance.

Clive

 

[QBhoy]

What kind of steering kit is it ? Any pics of how it is now ? I’m not quite clear on in what state you find it stiff. As in is it stiff with no steering ram or kit connected ? Or is it stiff with the new steering kit all in place and connected ? If the latter, has it been bled etc etc ?

 

[Rappey]

From my previous experience and advice i was given it seems the pivot tube is steel and it corrodes and jams up with salt. Using a grease gun just compacts the crud in there and makes it worse. Removal of the whole power head to try and remove the pivot tube is needed but if its that bad then the chances of getting much apart without all the bolts shearing off is pretty slim.
I attacked my engine pivot tube with a blow torch which freed it up somewhat but was short lived and it became very stiff again. My yamaha had a built in grease nipple but it was of no help.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

From my previous experience and advice i was given it seems the swivel is steel and it corrodes and jams up with salt. Using a grease gun just compacts the crud in there and makes it worse. Removal of the whole power head to try and remove the steering swivel is needed but if its that bad then the chances of getting much apart without all the bolts shearing off is pretty slim.
I attacked my engine swivel with a blow torch which freed it up somewhat but was short lived and it became very stiff again. My yamaha had a grease nipple but it was of no help.

Was wondering if a series of holes drilled and tapped to fit grease nipples providing it didn't weaken things too much. Possibly also squeeze in some degreaser first.

 

[Rappey]

Was wondering if a series of holes drilled and tapped to fit grease nipples providing it didn't weaken things too much.

Filling it with grease is easy but in my case it made no difference as the corrosion of the pivot tube and/or the surrounding aluminium was too far gone internally.

 

[gary111160]

Thanks all for your comments. Its stiff with no steering attached just moving it from port to starboard by hand. Not solid but tighter than the other engine. Ive found a nipple on the steering tube towards the bottom bush and there is one at the very top under the engine cowling that I can only assume is for the steering. I cant see any other purpose. Might try and force some degreaser into it via the nipples using a grease gun filled with a degreaser. Can't see it doing any harm before filling it with fresh grease. Not sure where it would come out though! maybe remove the lower nipple just leaving the hole?

 

[Rappey]

. Might try and force some degreaser into it

You've nothing to lose by trying it, but I would think it's more likely to be compacted rust and salt that's causing the problem.
Its a shame as mine was the 85a which has now been in production for 46 years and still its original form, but maybe lack of greasing was its downfall.