[stuarbc]

Looks like you guys got this handled....but figured I would post my experience with mine this past weekend. My engine would turn the boat to the right just fine....but when I attempted to turn left....the steering rod would not go all the way into the tilt tube.....and if i forced it...it would get stuck.

I assumed that I had build up in the tilt tube so planned to remove the steering rod and clean with a pipe cleaner and WD-40 and reattached.

The issue I ran into...which probably was also helping to cause the problem....was that the hole that was cut in my splash well where the steering cable went through...was a few inches further toward the bow of the boat than the cable was...so the cable was bending slightly going through the hole in the splashwell. This was causing the rod to bind as it slid into the cable.....and putting pressure on the steering rod in the tilt tube.......and as I found out later....also kept me from being able to remove the rod out of the tilt tube.

I ended up having to cut the hole out larger so the cable would not bind....then I had to but a wrench on the rod and rotate it back and forth while I pulled on it to get it out. Bought a brass pipe cleaner from Lowe's for a few bucks....rigged it up to attach to my cordless drill.....and ran it through the tilt tube many many times....always spraying in WD-40 and marvel mystery oil.

Cleaned the stearing rod...filed down some of the marks I made with the wrench...greased it up....slid it back into the tilt tube....purchased and installed a grease fitting that screwed onto the other side of the tilt tube....reattched everything....and now I am golden! Steers better than ever