Steering

[13Echo70271]

Skunk, I am starting to have a similar problem with no grease getting to top of steering swivel on 1989 Yamaha 150. Plenty of grease comes out the bottom. Is there any reason I couldn't drill and place a zerk near the top to try to get some grease in there? I was thinking 3/16 hole and tap for a zerk. It looks like there is enough clearance when the motor swivels. I might not get any grease in at first, but I thought I could shoot some wd40 in the hole from time to time and it might loosen up, (plugging the hole between times)then grease. Tom (13Echo70271) 88v20cuddy 89 yam 150L

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by 13Echo70271

Skunk, I am starting to have a similar problem with no grease getting to top of steering swivel on 1989 Yamaha 150. Plenty of grease comes out the bottom. Is there any reason I couldn't drill and place a zerk near the top to try to get some grease in there? I was thinking 3/16 hole and tap for a zerk. It looks like there is enough clearance when the motor swivels. I might not get any grease in at first, but I thought I could shoot some wd40 in the hole from time to time and it might loosen up, (plugging the hole between times)then grease. Tom (13Echo70271) 88v20cuddy 89 yam 150L

I am considering adding a zerk there while I have it off. Or at least a small hole

Given all the trouble I encountered, yes, I would suggest drilling a hole and spraying the crap out of it. You have nothing to lose...
Try to loosen up the dry grease with WD40 before adding a zerk and greasing.

You should try and get an exploded view diagram of it.
Get a good sense of where you are going and how deep.

The Suzuki has a plastic bushing. Assuming Yamaha is the same, if you drill in you will eventually go thru thin plastic and hit the steel shaft.
The hole in the plastic shouldn't hurt because the replacement bushings that I got have holes in them.

Good Luck!