2 part questions thermostat and steering

[steplift20]

1 is there any way to loosen up the steering I have a no feed back 4.2 turn to turn cable steering I took one nut off and sprayed penertrating fluid it worked the first time but when it got hard I did it again but I couldn't get it loose the secound time
2 I changed my thermostats can I clean and reuse the old ones ?
Thanks for any advise I'm going striper fishing tomorrow I will give you a report Happy thanksgiving

[spareparts]

replace the thermostats if you have them available, Pull the steering cable out of the steering tube and clean it out with a shotgun brush, grease the pivot tube on the engine as well

[steplift20]

The problem is I can't get the steering rod out unless I remove the engine

[steplift20]

I forget to mention I was out in sandy hook today fishing for strippers and saw about 4 step lifts out there one was a v 21 The swells were very high and dangerous was anyone on this site out there too

[steplift20]

Hey spare you said grease the pivot tube? Does that have anything to do with the steering? I thought it only is for raising the engine when I disconnect the engine from the steering bracket it moves freely

[spareparts]

tilt tube is up and down, pivot tube is side to side to side, its the grease fitting on the side of the mid section

[steplift20]

Yep the pivot tube is well greased I thought you were talking about the tilt tube sorry about that Actually the tilt tube is only about 4 years old I had it replaced I was thinking could it by the helm ? The cable should be good that's not old everything should be good but my steering is very hard and I do have play in the steering about 2 to 4 inches is that normal for a no feed back system
M

[phatdaddy]

disconnect the steering rod(connects end of cable to steering bracked on motor) and see if the problem is in the pivot tube or cable

[spareparts]

teleflex or U-flex system?

[steplift20]

Teleflex 4.2 no feedback system

[steplift20]

Could it be the helm itself and how can I check it

[spareparts]

the teleflex ssytem always feels stiff to me, even when brand new. The teleflex system uses a spring loaded clutch to prevent the helm from moving under torque, you have to break the clutch loose before tunring the wheel, thats why its always stiff at the initial movement, but frees up while you are steering. The U flex system uses planitary gears and is far easier to turn. Disconect the cable end and compare how it feels at the helm, then pull the cable out of the tilt ram and see if that helps

[steplift20]

Thanks spare that's what ihave to do to see we're the problem is but I hate taking off the console cause the screw holes are stripped So I always have to insert anchors in them But goats the only way to find out , but do you think I have to much play in the steering I would guess it's about 2 to 4 inches of play

[spareparts]

leave it hooked up at the helm, only disconnect the engine end to check it. Look to see if the outer jacket(black part) of the cable moves when turning the wheel, it shouldn't. IF it does, somethings loose

[steplift20]

Thanks spare I will do that

[steplift20]

If I wanted to find out if the hard steering is cause of the steering tube what if I do this
Remove the nut on the starboard side that hold the cable to the engine and turn the wheel it should be loose cause it's not pushing it thru the tibe, right if it's still hard then the problem could be in the cable do you guys agree with me . ..?

[SkunkBoat]

Disconnect link arm.
Turn wheel> if easy, problem not cable >if hard, problem is cable

If hard> turn motor left/right by hand, probably hard to turn, pivot shaft needs grease, if you grease it, does grease come out bottom/top? Grease may be bound up (grease pressure make it hard to turn), remove zerk fitting and stand back.

A really clean, well greased pivot shaft and you should be able to push motor left/right easily with link arm disconnected

[steplift20]

If I disconnect the link arm when I turn the wheel it's still going to push the cable thru the tube it won't turn the motor cause it's disconnected but it will still be hard? What I am saying is that if I disconnect the nut on the starboard side of the motor and turn the wheel if it's not the cable it should be easy to turn cause I'm not pushing it thru the tube it would push out the to starboard side ,if the problem is the cable it will still be hard if it's not the cable it should be easy, am in right in thinking this?

[spareparts]

:head::head: yes

[SkunkBoat]

First step is disconnect link arm.

That isolates problem to either the cable or the pivot shaft of the motor (or possibly both)

If its the cable, you should be able free it up by cleaning and greasing when extended out of the port side of the motor.
You should be able to turn the wheel with your pinky finger. If you can't, then the cable is binding inside of the black plastic sheath....buy a new one...
Disconnecting the starboard side nut is not going to do anything unless you get the whole cable out. That will let you clean out old grease better.

If the motor does not turn easily by hand with the link arm disconnected from the cable, you need to grease or clean & regrease the pivot shaft.

My pivot shaft has been giving me some trouble. new grease was not pushing out old grease so the grease gun was "pressurizing " the shaft making it even harder to turn. I took out the zerk fitting and it shot grease out the hole! That made it easier to turn but not great. I sprayed WD into the hole and top/bottom and moved it back&forth alot. That loosened it up "good enough to go fishing". In the spring I will probably pull the motor and disassemble and clean the pivot. I remember when my motor was new that thing was smooth and really easy to turn by hand, even with cable attached.

[steplift20]

The engine turns easy when disconnected from the pivot rod the problem is in the cable( it's not old) the helm or the steering tube is dirty the steering tube is only about 5 years old everything was replaced with in the last 5 to 7 years I have to try to isolate where I'm getting the problem from
Cable
Helm
Tube
Which one that's what I have to find out

[spareparts]

pull the cable out of the tube

[steplift20]

Came back from working on steering today and this is what I came to, the steering tube seems ok the cable at the engine side moves ( by hands ) very easy so it must be the helm, I didn't disconnect the cable from the helm side but that's what I'm going to do next I did notice thru a small access plate the the helm moves a very little it has play I don't think it should move at all what do you think do you think it's the helm? That 4.2 no feedback system seems tight I wilmlet you know what the outcome is, I just wish my steering was good than it would be a pleasure to drive for a bout that's almost 40 years old she still looks better than the ones I see today but I'm jealous of the steering Thanks for any info you can give me I know people have more serious problems than me so any feed back is greatly appreciated Thanks again

[steplift20]

Last question who has a 4.2 teleflex no feedback with a 150 outboard ,,,, question! Is it hard to turn or easy so I can com pair mine to yours Thanks

[SkunkBoat]

...the steering tube seems ok the cable at the engine side moves ( by hands ) very easy so it must be the helm, I didn't disconnect the cable from the helm side but that's what I'm going to do next

:head: cable moves by hand at engine?..does wheel turn by pulling cable end in & out??

I'm still not convinced it isn't the cable....do you have cable completely clear of the motor yet? if so and the wheel doesn't turn EASY, disconect from helm.
If helm doesn't turn EASY, then get a new cable.

[steplift20]

I have to disconnect it from the helm to find out where the problem is , I disconnected it from the engine could not pull it out all the way but seemed very loose not hanging up at all but still hard to turn wheel I have to disconnect it from helm than push pull cable to see if it s hard I have a feeling it is the helm itself, do you know if you can just buy the helm without the cable? If not than I will have yo get the whole assembly I think it's 17 feet, can you verify the length Thanks for all the come backs
Skunk boat and spare parts you guys have been very helpful thanks for your advice

[SkunkBoat]

QC II steering cable installation-

QC II steering cable installation- https://youtu.be/uVGaND8FQe4 (https://youtu.be/uVGaND8FQe4)

[phatdaddy]

if motor moves freely when cable is disconnected, just get a new cable & helm as a kit. any time i changed just one, the other woukd fail in a year or two. kinda like washer and dryers

[steplift20]

I here you if I'm going to go to the trouble of doing all that I might as well just change the two parts how long is the cable I have a 20 foot steplift cuddy not a c,c is it 17 or 16 feet does anyone know I think I put in 17 feet last time but it seemed long