Steering hard

[steplift20]

My 1988 150 mercury out board is hard to steer, what I would like to know is if I remove the nut with the rubber seal on the end so I can spray penetrating oil in it and clean out the old grease will I hurt anything like the wire in the cable cause the oil will get in between the cable and the outter sleeve I don't want to cause more problems than I have now thanks also I was out by sandy hook Sunday and saw another wellcraft 20 v was wondering if any one from this site was out there Sunday too

[macojoe]

You should be fine, I use to spray WD por PB in mine to fvree it up. But after a few stuck cables after the winter I started pulling my cable out the motor cleaning and wrap for winter then reinstall in the spring. no more issues! but i know pulling the cable on some of the v's require moving the motor. mine was a co nversion so no problems

[steplift20]

The motor has to come off to remove the cable so I am just going to try to clean it up and hit it hard with penetrating oil, you use wd 40 wouldn't penetrating oil be better?

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by steplift20

The motor has to come off to remove the cable so I am just going to try to clean it up and hit it hard with penetrating oil, you use wd 40 wouldn't penetrating oil be better?

WD-40 and PB Blaster are both considered penetrating oils. Kroil, if you can find it, is also a great penetrating oil.

Once you get that issue resolved, replace the end nut on your engine thru-tube where the cable goes with a Steersman nut. This will allow you to grease the end of the cable where 90% of the corrosion/rust takes place and keep it from happening. Also, carefully inspect your steering cable outer jacket for any cracks or cuts or basically any holes that will allow moist air and water onto the metal cable inside. those will kill a steering cable faster than anything. Carefully run your hand along the plastic sleeve feeling for any bumps or swelling. If there are any, that's where the rust and your problem will be.

[phatdaddy]

are u sure it's the steering? remove the cable from the steering rod and see if the motor is binding. there should be some zerk fittings on the pivot shaft for the motor.

[DUKE]

I just went through a similar problem, when I tried to remove the steering rod it did not line up with the existing side wall hole that the cable and gas line run through. It missed the hole by about an inch, so I enlarged that hole and the rod was able to be pulled through the new larger hole straight out into the starboard rear hatch.
I then cleaned everything with Gunk carburetor cleaner and emory cloth, re-packed everything with White Lithium Grease, working fine now.

[Striper80]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

WD-40 and PB Blaster are both considered penetrating oils. Kroil, if you can find it, is also a great penetrating oil.

Once you get that issue resolved, replace the end nut on your engine thru-tube where the cable goes with a Steersman nut. This will allow you to grease the end of the cable where 90% of the corrosion/rust takes place and keep it from happening. Also, carefully inspect your steering cable outer jacket for any cracks or cuts or basically any holes that will allow moist air and water onto the metal cable inside. those will kill a steering cable faster than anything. Carefully run your hand along the plastic sleeve feeling for any bumps or swelling. If there are any, that's where the rust and your problem will be.

I've actually read that the best penetrating oil is a 50/50 mix of ATF and acetone. I've never tried it though. I've had good luck with grease and starting fluid in a pinch.

[smokeonthewater]

Acetone and ATF kick donkey!

[pansof5]

when my steering froze I heating it with propane torch{by motor bracket}
It thins grease and frees it up

[Destroyer]

Just remember that no amount of oil or anything else can repair a badly rusted cable. It's a danger and should always be replaced. The last thing you want is for it to snap suddenly and you lose steering while at speed. That's an invitation for disaster.