CANT TURN !!

[msbhammer]

Can anybody help me out on this. Hopefully its just a adjustment and not costly. Its my steering. I can turn the motor tight in one direction, but cant the other way.
Here are a few pictures. Any suggestions would be great.

[msbhammer]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC01781.jpg

[msbhammer]

Turn all the way in one direction.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC01782.jpg

[msbhammer]

Steering control box,cant figure out what the white cable is on top. Its cut short and doesnt go anywhere. Has a cable that moves in and out through the tube.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC01780.jpg

[msbhammer]

Another picture of the motor . Wont turn any farther to the right. ???????

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC01779.jpg

[msbhammer]

The picture with the steering box, you can only see the white cap, it then has a cable coming out of it thqat then goes into a tube that you cant see.

[sfprovyn]

soak it real good with wd-40 over night where the shaft goes into the coupling and try cleaning it up with steel wool or emery cloth. It looks like salt water corrosion to me..once you get the steering rod sliding back and forth then polish it up real good with steel wool. I would move the motor back and forth by hand rather than the steering wheel and clean all that rusty crap off the shaft so it moves smoothly and remember to keep it shiny ...Frank

[msbhammer]

Thanks,
will give it a shot. Looks like the shaft could go in farther like two more inches, but stops hard.

[Skools Out]

that white tube is for the cable when it's turned fully one way. take the white tube off and grease it in the tube.

[chumbucket]

That "white cable" on the top of your steering box is the end of your steering cable. The end of the cable looks like a flexible acme screw or worm gear that wraps around a drive gear at the back end of you tapered steering wheel post. There is usually a semi transparent (when new) tube that covers the protruding cable end to keep it clean and hold the grease.

The motor end is where your problem lies I would guess from the looks of things. Hate to say it, but it almost looks like that cable needs to come out of the tube and clean both the cable and tube, grease and re-install. I said "Hate to say it", because it's not easy to remove that cable without loosening your motor from the transom. You might get lucky though.

[sfprovyn]

If the wd-40 wont free it up you might want to rap it with a small ball peen hammer a couple of times but make sure you put a block of wood against the other end of the shaft. All you need to do is break the corrosion so you can move the shaft and polish it up but you may end up having to take it apart..frank

[reelapeelin]

Get a can of PB Blaster...turn the wheel so the steering ram is fully extended and soak the entire ramwait a while and take a brass wire brush to it or some Scotch-Bright pad...it might be easier if ya remove the connecting rod to the motor (Blaster on that nut, too)... :D...

[msbhammer]

No luck with the w-40.
Will try the blaster and a hammer. Will anything happen if I loosen that rusted nut or the cable nut on the oppsite side ??
Dont wanna see a hundred springs shoot out on me.
Thanks guys.

[pikfish]

In your picture of the "white tube" it looks like it is broken or disconnected from the fitting. This white tube is a protective jacket for the end of the spring like steering cable. If it has been loose for a while and the steering not used then mosture, salt, etc can cause you trouble. After you get the steering moving freely, you can recenter the cable assembly to give you equal travel in both directions if needed. You might try disconnecting the cable at the motor end to see if the friction is in the cable or in the motor swivel bracket.

[Airslot]

Did this just start? IN the pic of front of motor the steering link, arm from motor to cable doesn't look right to me. The cable doesn't retract anymore than what you have in the pic. It almost looks like the wrong steering link on there. Now if it turned more in the past disregard what I said.

[Skools Out]

my same exact thoughts Air. i think you need a different tie arm between the motor and the steering rod.

[Skools Out]

here's a couple pics of what my steering arms have looked like on others, they were all straight.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/Manatee/red_boat_29.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46/Skools_Out/Motors/MVC-026S.jpg

[macojoe]

Buy the looks of the pic's you have a few problems!!

1 the white cap has a plastic sleeve on it to protect the cable gear and keep it clean, Yours is missing!

2 You have a bit of rust at the tube site

3 that thing looks like it hasn't seen grease in a long time!!

It's all about maintains!! You to get that cable out of the tube!!
This is going to mean losing the motor on the transom and pushing it over to one side to have room to get the cable out.

After that spray the tube and bet a wire pipe cleaner and ream that tube till its clean!

Clean and scotch brite the cable, re grease it and insert into the hole.

Most motors have a grease fitting on the pivot so you can grease them from time to time, if not take the nut off the tube on the end were the steering cable connects to the linkage.

Go to marine store and buy the nut that fits there with a grease fitting on it, now install the new not and you will be able to grease all the time!

In the winter grease well, turn a few times and then leave the motor turned so that the cable is all the way inside the tube.
This will protect it from the weather and hopefully you will be worry free in the spring!

You maybe able to get it lose with out all that work, but you will have the same problem later! Best to get it done the right way now and not worry about it anymore!!

[bigshrimpin]

I agree that steering linkage does look like the right one. Everything is really dry too . . . . you need some major lube.

Can you measure the steering linkage and post the numbers? I have a few in my garage that you can have for free.

Also Merc made a bolt on steering tube which you don't have on that motor. . . It helps when you have mechanical steering and need to make major steering adjustments. See if you have 4 holes on the face of the tilt bracket.

[msbhammer]

`Airslot,
To be quite honest, the motor was winterized in December, they did lube it up the arm. Theres a greese fitting on the underside. After that, I never touched it.
For all I know it may have been this way when I bought it in December. The batteries were dead and the engine was up. Does look like maybe that top bar should be shorter maybe. Of course I'm working daywork all this weekend till 7pm :'(

[phester]

hammer, I'm not 100 % sure but I think the grease fitting on the underside is just for the tilt or pivot from the bracket to the motor.....I don't think it will grease the steering arm [???]

[bigshrimpin]

Phester's right the grease nipple doesn't lube the inside of the tilt tube . . . which is what the steering rod travels through. The only way to lube this is to pull the steering out. There's an o-ring under those end nuts that are suppose to seal the grease in . . . after a while the o0rings fail and the grease dries up. The steering get real tight. To fix this . . . you have to ream out the tube.

The #1 solution is hydraulic steering . . . but that's some bucks. Probably $350 on ebay for a used helm, cylinder and a pair lines.

If you want to continue to use mechanical steering . . . I have the external ride glide mount that will bolt onto the front of that motor (4 bolts) and you can adjust the steering . . . by adjusting the length of the tube.

[bigshrimpin]

Did you ever get full range of motion with that steering setup?

[msbhammer]

Bigshrimp:
Dont know if the motor was like this when I got it or not in Dec. The motor was winterized and then never touched during the winter until now.
Whats this tube thing you are talking about that you have ?
You have a picture ?

[Airslot]

Hold on Hammer. Take a 9/16 wrench out to the boat. Undo the nut where the steering link connects to the cable coming out of the tilt tube. After that is undone, see if the motor moves freely side to side. Now see if the wheel turns freely. Now measure the steering link from mounting point to mounting point in a straight line. I'm going home now and I'll measure mine. Check your email for my cell # and call me.

Airslot

[msbhammer]

Looks like its almost fixed. I shot it full of WD-40 and wiped things down to really see what I was looking at. I should degreese the whole engine down, but unsure about taking a hose to the motor afterwards and short things out with my luck.
I took Airslots and Bigshrimp advice and looked around. Bigshrimp mentioned a bracket of some sort you can add, I like to see what you got. Picture if you can. I took off the top arm and the motor moved freely from side to side. I then seen a second place to where I can mount that top control arm. By relocating the arm farther back, it made the motor turn more. Not all the way, but better. My control is 11" and it looks like I need something in the 13 1/2 range, but looking at one of the pictures, I only have 1 1/2 of play left before that sliding arm hits the transom. So it looks like something around 12 1/2 " in a longer arm or see about this type of free glide adapter that Shrimp mentioned. Here are some pics and you can see where I managed to get more turn .
Thanks again for the tips. Tips are so much cheaper then the $85.00 an hour repair shop. ;D
Before Pic.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC01779.jpg

[msbhammer]

After relocating the control arm. Still not the best, but alot better.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC01786.jpg

[msbhammer]

Motor is turned much sharper in the other direction.
Damm, she needs a good cleaning on the engine and all.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC01784.jpg

[msbhammer]

The above picture shows the tube arm all the way exstended. Notice I only have about 1 1/2" before it hits the side of the boat.

[msbhammer]

Picture of moving the control arm farther back to a second hole that I found. Its amazing was happens when you spray $hit down and teh things you find ;D

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC01783.jpg

[bigshrimpin]

MSB - That's better but it might be a PIA to dock the boat w/ you steering in that state.

This is the kit I was talking about . . . where you can bolt on this new tube. It's designed for dual cables, but work just fine with one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4643391098&fromMakeTra ck=true

There is still something wrong . . . were you ever able to get a full range of motion while you owned the boat?

I don't know much about mechanical steering except for how to rip it out!!! but you should really get to the bottom of the problem, so you don't end up trying to hold the engine straight in 3ft seas (cause your steering cable/helm crapped out).

[bigshrimpin]

This is a pic of the dual setup. You bolt on this adapter on and use new adjustable tube.

[pikfish]

I suspect that your stearing travel problem is not at the motor end but at the helm. Turn the wheel stop to stop and count the turns. It should be about 4 but you should be able to find out exactly what it should be from the manufacturer. Then turn it all the way one way and then turn it back half the # of turns. This should be your centered position.

[msbhammer]

SHrimp:
Thanks for the pic. But the part looks differnt from the part on E-Bay. The part on E-Bay, is that a exstension bar or tube that connects to the steering bar on my motor ?
This is something I can add without disconnecting the steering cable ?
Thanks.

[msbhammer]

Shrimp:
Just looked on the control arm and didnt see any numbers. The control arm that I have is approx. 11"
Looks like I might need a arm that is 12.5 inches long.
Not unless that part on E-Bay takes care of the problem.

[Airslot]

Hammer, I think you've got it about where it's going to be. From what I can recall mine turns further one way than the other but the difference isn't very much. I bet when you get a chance to try it out that you can manuver it just fine.

Good luck,

Airslot

[msbhammer]

Airslot: what are you doing online so early in the morning. Your suposed to be outside warming up that Gas Grill. ;D ;D ;D ;D
You should be out in the Boat !!!
Thanks for the call last night.

[Airslot]

Man, I just got done cooking 1,200 Hamburgers, hotdogs, bratwurst, and Chicken breast. I'm fried. Now I've got 3 hours office work getting ready for tommorrow. I can't wait till Labor Day.

Airslot

[steplift20]

i think i know what it is cause i did the same thing
where the steeriring link in front off the motor is connected you have it on the last hole what you have to do [if you look ]at the steering arm there should be another hole set back about 3 inches you have to move it to that hole
it might be rusted so get out your penetrating oil and let it soak the hole is right under the shroud but you have enough romm to get it in

[reelapeelin]

Hammer, hope relocatin' the steerin' arm helps, but it MIGHT make it harder to steer as you are losing some leverage by going closer to the engine's pivot point...you'll just have to experiment...if you force that ram back thru the tube, get ALL the corrosion build-up off the ram first...it probably won't go back thru w/ out cleanin' and if it does, it'll score the pi$$ outta the tube...you gotta get that corrosion off the ram to see what you got for steerin'...it's causin' you to lose some of your steerin'... ;) :) ...

[msbhammer]

Had it apart again last night. All cleaned up on the tube. Bunch of brown crap came out. The tube arm moves really well. I did move the control arm to the back hole. It does make the engine turn more, but still should turn another 2 inchs more.
I have a 11" control arm. What I now need is a 13 inch control arm. Searched E-Bay with no luck. Can only find 11" arms.
I hear these arms are over hundred bucks. Trying to get a used one.
Wanna take her out bad !!.
Picked up the new vhs radio today as well. This radio has ACC Cable ??????
What the heck is that. I'm guess it might be for a gps location device whenever you Talk ????

[Skools Out]

The part listed on ebay will not fix your problem nor work on the steering set up you have unless you buy a new dual steering cable box and cables.

[reelapeelin]

Is the ACC cable a way to listen to college basketball ... ::) ...just kiddin'... ;) :D :D...

[msbhammer]

LOL, ;D
So ... was I right, any idea ??? gps stuff I guess ?

[reelapeelin]

What does the owners manual say 'bout the ACC cable?...most likely is GPS interface...

[msbhammer]

Yep, thats what it is for. Gps interface along with exsternal speakers.

[Blue_Runner]

Can you drill a new hole back even farther?

I think the arm at the heart of your turning problem. Its not frozen or you wouldn't be able to get full range when the arm is unhooked.

Find a longer arm, or drill a new hole for the current arm if possible. Keep us posted.

Blue

[bigshrimpin]

The part listed on ebay will not fix your problem nor work on the steering set up you have unless you buy a new dual steering cable box and cables.


Skools - How do you figure? The Blown Mercury 150 XR2 I pulled off a Boston Whaler . . . had this very setup. The previous owner was running a single cable through the front mount tube.

[Stinky_Hooker]

Hammer, I love you man, but you have some of the most "unique" boating problems and the longest threads because of it. ::)

Paint it or not? Lets take 42 pages to see......

Steering not working....arm to short??

Not sure, lets take 85 pages and talk about it.


You have GOT to be in upper level management for a living!! :D



J/K Man!! I love you Hammer. ;D

[Skools Out]

yeah it would work that way but, if the steering tube is bad then don't bandaid it with a twin steering tube. Fix it once fix it right with a new steering tube. I was saying he doesn't have twin cable set up so it will not work properly on his boat unless he wants to half way do the job lol.

[bigshrimpin]

Skool's I hear you, but the guy with the whaler had been running his XR2 that way since 1987. Hynautic also made a K-6 cylinder that bolts right on the front. This system has the same 4 bolts holding the ram. The nice part is that kit is that it makes mechanical steering adjustable and serviceable (w/o pulling the motor). Fix it once and fix it right

http://www.charment.com/images/k_6.jpg

;)

[Blue_Runner]

Look out people - we have a battle of wits going on here!!

[reelapeelin]

Battle of the TITANS!!!...anybody wanna make odds?...

[Skools Out]

i do like the not removing the motor part for service part ;D. OMC makes one too. I've heard of them coming loose from the motor and loosing all steering ???.

[msbhammer]

Well, this thread might take 100 pages. ;D ;D
Went out today and hit three boat repair shops and found that the steering arm that I have is a standard size. I did find one that was one inch longer. But for $150.00 NO WAY !!
So I figured it must be something with the steering, greese dried up or something. So where the black Teleflex steering mounts to the tube...if thats what you call it ??, well on the teleflex cable, there is a big silver nut, well in that nut is a pressure fitting waher that I didnt know was there. Well I broke the Mother Freaking thing today and now lost all my steering.
Dont know what to do know. E-Bay is looking good right about now !!.

[Skools Out]

how long is your steering arm again? will a johnson / evinrude work? i have several laying around i'll just have to find them.

[Skools Out]

look here is this long enough?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercury-Mariner-Johnson-OMC-outboard-steering-arm-NOS_W0QQitemZ4643447490QQcategoryZ31283QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://i4.ebayimg.com/03/i/04/9e/27/05_1_b.JPG

[Skools Out]

here's an OMC steering arm email ask him and see if it's longer

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OMC-OUTBOARD-STEERING-CONNECTOR-ARM_W0QQitemZ4644979389QQcategoryZ31283QQssPageNam eZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://i6.ebayimg.com/01/i/07/25/0a/01_1.JPG

[Skools Out]

super long looking steering arm

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Outboard-motor-steering-arm-SS-two-arms-boat-cable_W0QQitemZ4644314128QQcategoryZ31283QQssPageN ameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://i19.ebayimg.com/02/i/07/3d/70/ab_1.JPG

[msbhammer]

Damm, they do look longer. I shot both of them questions on the lenght. Thanks Bro ! ;)

[msbhammer]

:-* :-* :-* :-*
Yo Stink.
I love you To Man !! ;)
I'm all new with boating thing. Damm, and I thought diving was costing me money. Non stop with boat repairs and questions. Man, I just wanna go diving !!

[reelapeelin]

Hammer...what broke?...can you photo?...FORGET E-Bay...at least for what you were thinkin' :o ...you've come too far to ''bail-out'' now... ;)...

All I started out wantin' to do was catch a fish...

[msbhammer]

Reel,
I shoot a few photos this afterrnoon. I took my meds this morning. Feeling better, so I put the can of gas and matches down. ;D :o :o

[Blue_Runner]

Hammer, look at the bright side - at least it didn't break out on the water 10 miles out.

[msbhammer]

Yanked out the steering and install a new cable.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC01787.jpg

[msbhammer]

Dont know if this is normal or not. Old crap inside the tube.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC01788.jpg

[macojoe]

Thats normal for a unmaintained sterring!! Thats a good pic to tell you how not to do it!!

I hope you cleaned well and remed the tube out to get it clean!!

[bigshrimpin]

Nice dry caked on grease!!! I dunno the best way to clean that out . . . what I did before I installed hydraulic steering was to get a wire brush (Ace Hardware pipe cleaner). I broke off the loop handle end off the pipe cleaner and stuck it into a power drill. It worked pretty well.

There's so much crap in that hole you'll be at it for a while. Put an apron on your v20 before you get busy with the wire brush.

http://www.spectrumsurgical.com/images/kits_packs/stiffbrush2.jpg

[msbhammer]

Been spaying and scooping as much out as possible. This might sound stupid, but what about using a snake drain ?? Can I damage something inside that I dont know that is there. Like the pressure washer fitting that I broke yesturday. >:(

[bigshrimpin]

MSB it's just a straight heavy duty steel tube. The big nut on the end has a rubber seal . . . but your's is shot anyway. It's just a rubber o-ring (you can buy at any hardware store). You might as well try everything you think will work. Attack from both sides!!

[macojoe]

wire pipe cleaner works great!! Just keep spraying WD40, PB Blaster what ever you got, and then mix all the thinner and chemicals :o you have till you have it clean!!

Its going to take time but it will come out, I even doubled the pipe cleaners to make it bigger and really reamed it good.

Then grease the $hit out of it and your good to go!!

To bad you have to move the mor, I pull my cable every fall clean and wrp in plastic for winter, spring I clean the tube, grease and start over, Hvae never had a bad steering again!

[parishht]

:-/

Guess what Hammer,
I went to put the pirate ship into the Broadkill and I don't know what it is about
De. and V20's, but I am having the same issue with my steering.
Only difference is that mine looks like the rotating tip broke off the cable.

Anyway, how much was a new cable, yours looks like mine.

Have you tried the Irish Eyes in Milton yet?
Just as good as the original, but no traffic to fight.

[msbhammer]

Damm, Mac. You pull the cable every year. Hell, I pull the cable once for the first time and break it ! >:( >:( >:(
Back in the house. Been spaying the hell out of it. Tried using a drain snake. Crap is so hard on the inside, cant get it through. Will keep knocking away at it till its right.

[msbhammer]

Parissh:
Paid 169.00, but I dont know if I'll be getting anything else yet or not. Not sure if I should find a new tube, or just clean mine up really well and leave it the hell alone and never think I can fix something. ;D
Your V-20 in is the Broadkill. Hell your just a few miles north of me ;D
Damm, I have somebody near by who can tow me in NOW ;D
Nah, I havent been to the Irish Eyes in Milton yet.
The one in Lewes is within Stumbling and staggering distance to my house. LOL !! ;)

[macojoe]

I had a budy cork the ends with rubber corks, any hardware store have them.

then drilled a hole at the top of one cork, filled tube with Navel Jelly, let sit 24 hours, said it was as clean as a whistel after that!!

I like the idea! I am sure anything will work if left to sit and soften long anough?

[Skools Out]

$169.00 yikes thought you only got a cable not the whole store. What length is the one youbought?

look here

http://www.boatfix.com/bykeywordnew2.asp?textfield=steering&texttype=2

[macojoe]

I replaced mine with complete system. The whole system is like the same price as the cable.

But I just have a regular steering system nothing special.

[msbhammer]

YIKES !!, Damm West Marine. What a mark up I tell ta.
I new I was gonna pay more because I wanted it now, but I cant beat those prices. $hit might be going back hell. Cant work on till this weekend because I'm on daywork for the next two days anyway. Think I'll buy from this site, even with shipping I'll still be saving money.
Was hoping to getter done by Sunday. This Sunday is the Big 1-Year Wedding Anniverary for Lisa and I.
Wanted to relive that wedding night all over again on the water. :P :P :P

[msbhammer]

Honey I love but, I love my boat and Diving. ;D

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/divewedding.jpg

[Skools Out]

boatfix will have it to your door in 2 days or less usually ;D

[msbhammer]

Wedding across the street from my house on the Lewes Beach. A good aniversary gift: Hmm, honey, yo mind paying for the parts for the boat. ;D

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/wed-1.jpg

[msbhammer]

Thanks School.
Man, I love that 78 V-20 in your Photo Bucket. Sweat.
Look even better with my Merc. on the back of it. Sure...we can trade for that Johnson. ;D

[Skools Out]

i took that johnson off but thanks a ton bro. i have 5 of those 225's lol thought about putting a pair of them on the V20 to see how fast she'd go lol.

[Airslot]

Nothing works better than a 12 ga. shotgun cleaning brush, the wire brush. Pick it up at WallyWorld for $2 or so. Chuck it in a dril and go to town.

Airslot

[parishht]

I have found Beach Marine, on rt 1, just behind Curly's BBQ, to be better service than West.
If they don't have it in stock, they will order it.
They also love to give knowledable advice.

I picked up a Guest charger for the ship at West
and some of the workers seemed like I was bothering them with questions.

[msbhammer]

Been to Beach Marine once, when trying to transfer the ownership of my boat. They wouldnt do it, so I took it to Shorts MArine where I had no problems.
Shotgun brush. Nice idea. Just as long as I keep the shotgun away from the boat when I loose my patience.
;D ;D

[Skools Out]

hey hammer just go to this site and get a new stainless tube. I replaced all my old non-stainless ones to these, they are great.

http://www.discountoutboardparts.com/SStilttubes.html

[msbhammer]

Skool:
Bought the whole kit and went for it. New steering cable and steering helm. All cleaned up and lubed, lower unit sealed, new plugs and wires and installed the rest of teh guages, water pressure pump, volt guage and cigarette lighter ;D
She turns perfect, starts right up. The water guage shows teh needle shooting up and down from 0 to 10, but as you guys said these Mercs. never pee as good as other motors.
I'll post some pics. Will be taking her out Friday evening for a spin.

[msbhammer]

She;s done and ready for some fun. New steering cable and helm along with tune up and a few more new guages. Time to get some enjoyment and move onto other things I want done.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC01792.jpg

[msbhammer]

New Cable

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC01789.jpg

[msbhammer]

New Helm. Crappy pictures, but what the hell, we all love pictures ;D

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC01791.jpg

[msbhammer]

Little more new wiring.
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC01790.jpg

[msbhammer]

Few more new guages. Volt guage and water psi guage along with a cig. lighter. VHS radio.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f153/msbhammer/DSC01793.jpg

[msbhammer]

Could use a trim guage, but have no idea how that gets wired in. Might be a pain I guess, if I need to remove the contros...since my trim switch is on the throttle control arm.

[msbhammer]

Anybody have this type compass as a spare that they might want to get rid of ??
Mine is shot !!

[reelapeelin]

Hammer, can't help ya on the compass, but don't worry too much about a trim gauge...you'll get accustomed to where the motor is by how the boat is planed and the sound of the motor...and sharp turns; DIG it all the way IN!!... ;)...

GREAT job on the wiring...wish mine looked that good :D ...

[bigshrimpin]

MSB -

Very nice . . . . if you ever get in the mood for a makeover. Tracker has tons of surplus gauges (sometimes compasses). This combo set is always for sale on ebay both for $99.

http://i16.ebayimg.com/04/i/06/02/6a/f7_1.JPG
and
http://i5.ebayimg.com/02/i/06/09/19/3f_1.JPG

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4645933104&ssPageName= MERC_VIC_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BID_Stores_IT#ebayphotohosti ng

[bigshrimpin]

This thread is a good read too . . . for your merc.

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89458&highlight=spark+advance+mod ule

[msbhammer]

Nice thread Shrimp: Cant beat the price on that guage set. I have a fear of wiring. I can do one guage at a time, but yanking all the guages out, then doing the starboard I can do, just when its time to put the guages in and I see that ball of wires, brain overload. I'd be lost brother. ;D
Still raining its *** off here in Lewes De. Looks like I'll be dry docked till Sunday.
Oh Yeah, for all you fishing guys out there. Been having reports of boats being broken into here in Lewes and 2-thousand dollar fishing reels being stolen off the boats. Well we nabbed the guy yesturday. A print that we recovered from one of the boats came back on a hit through Afis. The guy confessed and we got the stolen fishing gear back. Messing with a Mans boat is like messing with his women or his truck, You just dont do it. !!!
Turned out he was a boat mate for alot of the charter boats. I here a lynch mob of boat captains are looking for him now. ;D

[parishht]

Good to know that the Lewes police are doing their jobs. ;)

Not like the Rehoboth ticket writers. ::)

[parishht]

That should be parking ticket writers.

[msbhammer]

Even flashing my badge in Rehoboth doesnt get me out of the parking tickets. Ive paid my share of parking tickets down there. >:(

[parishht]

Don't know if anyone else had heard about this.

After I cleaned all my components with emery cloth and
cleaned the through tube with brass wool,
the old guys that were helping all agreed that I should use
anti seize greese, since it is resistant to water.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/parishht/100_0418.jpg

Anyone else hear of this??

[msbhammer]

Great Pic. ;D

[Airslot]

Parish, I don't think the antiseize was a good idea. Anti-seize pending on type has different metals in it, usually nickel if I can remember. Anyhow, dissimiliar metals and saltwater usually turns to goo. I think grease is better in that app. My local wrench says you shouldn't use a.s in saltwater, grease works better even on nuts and bolts?

Airslot

[parishht]

I'll give it a try for this year and see what it looks like at the end of the season.

No that I know how to take the thing apart,
I can always change out the a.s. with regular greese.

[macojoe]

I love anti seize!! But I think that is the wrong applacation.

That stuff stick and stays! and for that reason it will attract dirt and hold on to it!! May do more harm then good!

Better off greaseing with marine grease!! And get one of these for your steering tube, replace the nut on then end with this and now from time to time you can add new grease to the tube!!

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/358500676.htm

[parishht]

Ordered one,
will take picture when installed.

Can I mix marine greese with A.S.???

[ebol5]

I have one of those nuts installed on mine... It works great as long as I remember to grease it before it gets stuck..... I just went through having to free up my steering... again this spring. Kept working it back and forth (not using the helm) and feeding it PB Blaster, and cleaning the S#*t off of it each time it came out of the tube.. loaded it up with grease and it is good now. I have vowed not to neglect it again!

[macojoe]

Nope take AS out of there and clean well, then grease.

When you orderd the nut make sure it is for your motor!

They are different sizes for motors, merc, yamaha, ect ect...

Can you remove your steering cable with out removing the motor??

If so do what I do, in the winter remove the cable, clean add grease and bag it till spring.

Clean tube add grease and reinstall the cable, never ever see a stuck cable again!!

[parishht]

I checked the Davis website and it only comes in one size.

Boatersworld told me that if it does not fit, I must acquit,
oops wrong board, I can send it back for a refund.

macojoe - I had to loosen the motor,
but it was no big deal, if the fitting doesn't work,
then I just might use your system.
An hour of work could save me days of hassle next year.

I feel like a scientist with all these experiments.
:P

[macojoe]

your not the first nior the last that will have to deal with this!!

The nut should fit? I remember when I got mine there were different ones, at least I thought there were?

My motor is on a bracket, so I have it real easy to take mine out!!

Even greasing it all the time I still take out every fall!!

[racerx]

i been told by a few that greasing it is the worst thing to do. on my bayliner i just hit it with pb blaster and wipe clean then shoot a little wd40. every month or so and no prob for about 3 years. keep in mind, i fish. we are talking about a boat that spent at LEAST 10 or 15 hours a week in the water before katrina. maybe a little less during deer season. but, that may be the reason, it never got a chance to freeze up.

[parishht]

;D ;D

The nut fit and works great.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g18/parishht/nut.jpg

Pic is a little blurry, but you can get the idea.

[willy]

Parish is it one size fits a industry standard tube?

[parishht]

Here is the size from the website:

(7/8" x 14 pitch threads).

The website for information is:

http://www.davisnet.com/marine/products/marine_product.asp?pnum=00425

The site for ordering that I got from macojoe is:

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/358500676.htm


While you are at the Davis website,
check out some of the other stuff there,
I found it pretty interesting.

[reelapeelin]

All due respect to MJ ;)...I think the nut is gonna be universal in size, cause the steering-ram is gonna be the same size for all...I don't remember but one size when I got mine...

[macojoe]

Thats all right, I can admitt when I am wrong!!

Just for some reason like 10 years ago I thought that they had asked if I had a Merc or OMC so I thought it was two different sizes?

O well he got it , it fit, and hopefully he will never have that problem again!!

[reelapeelin]

:-*