Diagnosing and fixing stiff boat steering

In this video we look at a boat with stiff push-pull cable steering on the outboard. We start by separating the parts of the steering to determine where the resistance is coming from then go on to clean the steering rod and tilt tube of old dried grease.
Other related videos are:
Replacing the steering cable: • Replacing the steering...
Unseizing a pivot tube: • Fixing a stiff steerin...
For outboard repair information, checkout my website: outboard.dangarmarine.com/guide
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[@doggietalk]

I'm a 74 year old granny. Steering wheel wouldn't move. Watched this video all the way through and followed all of the instructions. Steering wheel is turning smoothly and I'm a happy camper. Thanks for the instructions. Another DIY masterpiece!

[@DangarMarine]

Glad it helped! :)

[@doggietalk]

@@DangarMarine I should have mentioned how important it was to see you hammer that frozen rod. I would never have done that without seeing it done.

[@randyutsey5882]

I’ll give my Honda 90 another try now that I’ve seen your video Thx

[@roanosullivan8321]

Best tutorial on KZbin by the far . This mans doing God’s work

[@mikemoloney7196]

God's work..love it. Time spent fishing doesn't come off your lifespan, I've discovered the meaning to life. 🎣

[@micaddygolf]

Thank you for perhaps the best diagnostic/instruction video I have viewed on any subject. Very clear information/advice that enabled me to confirm what I thought may have been an issue but was not sure. Was like talking to a marine mechanic face to face, great presentation. Thank you.

[@d.johnson499]

Hey man -- I just had the absolute fight of my life getting a seized steering cable out of a used motor I picked up. The previous owner had cut it off rather than try to extract it and I soon found out why. This video helped tremendously and I give you credit for keeping me at it, instead of paying some "professional" to bang it out for me. Your video on dropping and re-installing the gearcase was a huge help too. Using ratchet straps made it worlds easier. Thanks man. --Dave in Georgia (USA)

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome Dave, glad you won the battle in the end!

[@johnbacon3360]

I have to say thank you for your time and consideration in providing excellent video tutorials and I hope you are blessed with all your endeavours you deserve it.

[@timconnelly694]

One tool that comes to mind is my Hoppe's gun & barrel cleaning rod. I think I'll give that a try. Has a good variety of wire brush rods and cleaning attachments. Great video Stu.

[@roseburn489]

Went fishing today, got to the boat ramp and found my steering had locked so had to return home. I found your video and followed your advise and it worked a treat. My motor was turning fine but the tube was dirty with old black grease. I cleaned the steering rod and cleaned out the tilt tube with the spiral wire brushes and carb cleaner, applied the grease lightly and it worked like brand new. Many thanks as you saved me a trip to the boat mechanic.

[@scottbeattie6645]

Dangar Stu to the rescue again. Solved the problem and learnt a lot. Cost one beer, two rags and lithium grease. Great channel with heaps of variety. Looking forward to the wreck hunting and trips on Renko

[@DangarMarine]

Glad you got it sorted. :)

[@bobbell5928]

Very well explained. Sometimes I cut the end of a copper pipe and use emery cloth(or just sandpaper)and use it like a flapper on a drill. Does a great job

[@donbailey6600]

I really appreciate how you take the time to describe different scenarios you can encounter during this process. Its really helpful.

[@BillhornA]

Thanks very much for this really excellent vid. Following your tips helped me sort out my steering in about an hour's work. I've watched quite a few of your clips, all highly educational, astoundingly steady camera work despite working one-handed whilst being under the cockpit console unscrewing things etc. I'm a fan, keep up the good work!

[@thomastaylor5989]

Thank you so much for taking your time to share this with us. I have a 1987 Bayliner Trophy center consul. Boat has mostly been used for offshore fishing and my steering has been stiff and hard to turn for the last 20 years or so. I am going to give this a shot and see if I can get to turn smooth again. Tommy T

[@vegascarpentr]

Anytime i have problems with my boat you have been my go to !! Thanks for the information you saved my summer

[@DangarMarine]

Glad to help! Have a new diagnosis website that might help you too: outboard.dangarmarine.com/guide

[@Lucerne12]

Thank you Steve. I followed your lead in this video and gave my steering a Birthday after 16 years of storage. It was seized solid but, after following your steps I was able to free it up and make it glide nicely.

[@edwinsmith7896]

Thanks for sharing your method to fix the sterring cable on outboard! Right on the money. Simple and straightforward.

[@pablocortez289]

Many many thanks for the video. Followed it to the tee and it took me all of 30 min. My bolts were easy to remove though. Other videos say to pack it with grease but I went ahead and just sprayed white lithium as you suggested. Look forward to checking out your other videos.

[@robvoysey6040]

This video is still working! - excellent methodical step through of the processes. Despite years of dealing with rusty fittings, i've never used heat before - sure enough this was the only way to get the locking ring off the pivot tube!

[@chrisstinson2656]

Another excellent video, absolutely love the steps of diagnosis and and the explanation throughout fix. Take care & thx much

[@GavinFinley153]

Great teaching video. Solved my problem well. Thanks for putting it up. From an Aussie expat in the US.

[@DangarMarine]

+Gavin Finley Thanks Gavin, glad the video helped you. :)

[@toddbryson8785]

Just completed this exact walk through on my 2003 Honda BF 40. My 13' 1973 whaler build is getting closer to being a turn key and go. Thank you from Florida!

[@DangarMarine]

Thanks Todd, glad to hear your boat project is getting close to being finished!

[@frangiew9076]

Mr. Danger ..thank you so much for a real life demonstration on how to tackle this problem & the problems you may encounter ...it was just what I needed. Now I believe my problem is in the helm, but I think after watching you, I'm going to tackle this cable from end to end..Thank you so much...frankie, Boston Mass.

[@seanp7253]

Very well put together video. Hands down the best tutorial I've ever watched. You've got a real gift, thank you!

[@reidolson1043]

Thank you for the video about stiff steering. I followed your directions and had my steering working like new in a short while. I could not have done it without you. Once you said that it was alright to use a hammer and drift, I knew that I could get it done. Thanks again.

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome, great to hear you got it fixed up.

[@fsriccobon8279]

Love your videos. About to tackle the steering on our boat. You give me or us a lot of confidence on DIY. Thanks heaps

[@aaronlee7915]

You’re videos are really well made and equally as informative. Thanks for making this!

[@chrisbettles7597]

Just bought an old boat and luckily have found your Channel. Great content! Great explanations! You rock!

[@martynpickett7542]

I'd just like to take this opportunity to say how good your videos are. I went to take the boat out this weekend and the steering was a little stiff on the ramp. Grease it up and launched only to find it had completely locked up the steering. Thanks to your video I managed to remove the cable. Clean all the old dry grease out, relube the whole thing and was back out within the hour. Great videos keep it up saved me a wasted trip A+

[@DangarMarine]

Thanks Martyn, glad to hear you got your steering freed up. :)

[@jeemboNC]

You are a gifted and pragmatic mechanic! Good on you, mate!

[@philmcrackin9573]

So much useful info in this channel. How did I not find this earlier?

[@davidlaw5441]

Great video! I have used your instructions in the past to clean my steering cable, but this time when I tried to loosen the nut the entire cable start to turn. The engine is a 115 Honda. Thanks

[@funsharx]

Your videos have saved me hundreds already and I've only watched a couple of them. Great stuff!

[@DangarMarine]

Glad to hear they've been saving you some money. :)

[@woosh073]

I had the same issue with my honda outboard. Followed your instructions and it worked flawlessly

[@kedricknicholas5573]

Thank you for this video. I used a bit of what you did mixed with another video to get this done myself!

[@shannongarthlien2878]

Fixed my boat steering problem in one evening with this video. Fantastic help. I should have done this 3yrs ago.

[@michaeldonaldson6304]

thank you for this great video. your instructions were very easy to follow and I cleaned and replaced any dried up grease and it is now working much better.

[@PRIMOS413]

You are the man, every time I have a problem, I go on your channel and you have all solutions, thanks again. My tilt motor still going strong with a spring from a pen, save a bunch of money by switching to your channel, DONT YOU EVER STOP MAKING VIDEOS 😁

[@DangarMarine]

You can't beat the pen spring trick. ;)

[@arciefan]

Was at the lake yesterday and was a huge effort to turn the steering. Watched your video and although I didn't pull the cable out, I did remove the nuts, and was able to shoot wd penetrating oil up in there well. After a few minutes of working it, wiping it off, reapplying, it was free and easy. As someone else mentioned I opted to use oil to re-lubricate instead of grease. I actually had some gear oil in my oil can ,,,, and now it's smooth as new . The motivation to do this was greatly helped by watching you work. Thanks so much!!!

[@DangarMarine]

Great to hear you managed to get it fixed up. :)

[@valhemp]

Thank goodness I found your video. Followed what you did and got the steering back working again. Brilliant.

[@DangarMarine]

Glad to hear you're back in action!

[@charlesbrewer6552]

I had a problem just like this which was very difficult to fix. I would clean the tube and grease with the recomended grease but the fix would not last. I tried several different (very expensive) aircraft lubricants after failing with the normal WD-40, Silicon spray, Boelube, anti-seize, OMC grease, ect. Finally I purchased a set of wire brushes and got one that fitted the torque tube. With an extension, WD-40 and a drill I cleaned out ALL the old grease from the torque tube. Pulling through with rags to clean it out. I tried various lubricants to keep it free but finally found that Corosion-X worked. This lubricant is quite expensive but is very effective. The steering has remained free, even after months of non-use. That is what worked for me. By the way, I love your video's, they have helped me a lot with the maintenance of my motors.

[@mattp9029]

Great video. Perfect how to. Mine isn't that bad, but I now know how to get it apart, inspect and clean it properly. I'm guessing my tube is getting pretty nasty with old grease/dirt. Your videos are always very helpful. Cheers!

[@brookside92323]

just wanted to thank you for making these you tube videos . ive learned so much from you.

[@timschuller575]

Great video.. I am about to diagnose my pontoon steering issues right now. Thank You!

[@handycrowd]

For more aggressiveness, a threaded bar works well too, just drag it back and forth like a round file :-)

[@AB-nb2ic]

Great suggestion!

[@thomasbrame9458]

thanks for the video. helped me with my problem.. all fixed now!

[@fishfullness]

Thanks for taking the time to put together and post your videos over the years - it's a great resource that helps educate and keep us on the water making great memories :) This vid in particular was great to help me isolate the steering issue on my boat - it gave me the confidence to tackle the problem myself in the garage while my marine mech was away on long leave - turns out my steering cable was seized - new one - all good now. I just need to save up now and use your hydraulic install vid to upgrade ;)

[@ronbarbieri7713]

I like your approach and technique. No Bull! straight to the subject matter. Good job. Thanks!

[@ronnyrath816]

After watching all the videos from his channel i am a boat mechanic now. Thank you.

[@shaunrayshan2287]

Thank you for the video! I'm new to the boating scene and this helped so much!

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome Shaun.

[@lindsayball6726]

Thank you so much for such a useful video. You explained exactly how to diagnose and fix the problem, along with the various tricks and things that could go wrong. I'm not particularly mechanical, and being able to see exactly what to do made it so much easier. Cleaning the pivot tube got me out of trouble for Easter.

[@DangarMarine]

+Lindsay Ball Thanks Lindsay, glad the video helped you. Enjoy your Easter!

[@zaiakhamis4]

Hey stu mate your an absolute legend after all these years your videos are still relevant

[@luke3263827]

good video and helped me resolve my stuck steering on my pontoon boat!!! Thanks for taking the time to help the do it yourselfers. Thanks from Tampa Fl

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome Tony, glad you got your steering fixed up. :)

[@paragliderpete]

Thanks for that information,my pontoon boat steering binds.

[@djteddy6876]

Absolute legend! Fixed clunky/stiff steering on my boat. Thank you mate!

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome. :)

[@holdfast7657]

Another great video. If you get a bottle brush that's long enough you could put it into a drill and then polish the tube.

[@DangarMarine]

Brushes like that are a good way to go. I’ll have to find a good source and buy bulk.

[@gs7102]

You can get various sizes in gun stores for barrels :)

[@bradhaines5711]

Excellent video mate. I'll be doing my steering today.

[@timc8913]

Timeless advice. Thanks for sharing.

[@titaniumtemplar9826]

Thank you for all your detailed and easy to understand videos!

[@judetk1]

G'day Stuart, Can't say how appreciative I am of your videos and tuition. I reckon you have saved me hundreds of dollars with your sensible and practical advice. Imparting knowledge is a noble thing, many thanks. Brian Kennedy Beechworth, Vic

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome Brian, great to hear you have been finding the videos useful. :)

[@grahamcarr3575]

I was all ready to take my boat to my service mechanic when I thought I would see if Google could help. Well it did, well it was you and Google that helped . Thanks, that now gives me information and confidence to attack this issue myself.

[@DangarMarine]

Good luck Graham, glad the vid helped. :)

[@grahamcarr3575]

Job done, steering now OK again , although I got a bit too adventurous and took out the Tilt tube, oops but managed to get it back in again. Thanks again, I owe you a beer (or three)

[@taftsierer1]

Outstanding video that covers all possibilities of what the issue may be

[@pbentley1]

Hi Stu, I am new to boats and have just taken on a tired runabout. I was about to send it up to my local boat mechanic when I saw your youtube channel. This Vid and the Water Pump one have saved me real money. I owe you a beer or 24 🍻. Cheers PB

[@DangarMarine]

Hi mate, glad the vids helped you saved a few dollars. Look forward to those beers! :)

[@pbentley1]

Dangar Marine Hi, I will drop past Mt. K when I am back from this road trip in late July.

[@AC-er6vz]

Thank you very much. I bought a used boat and the guy I bought it from did not keeping up with the maintenance. The steering was very hard. After watching your video it was easy to fix, Mine came apart much easier than your did so it was a 30 minute job. Well done video.

[@coltaylor7828]

Thank you so much for your video it certainly made the job of freeing up my forward steering cable so much easier

[@tellcommguy]

Super informative video man. I am relatively new to fixing things on my boat and was having this issue. I thought it was going to cost me an arm anf a leg. Watched your video and troubleshot the problem quickly and was able to fix it with relative ease. Thankyou so much.

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome Raphael, glad the video helped you. :)

[@hoyks1]

Thanks Stu. Looks like I have a job for tomorrow. I hope you're doing well and I hope you get back to posting again.

[@JohnnyMorganca]

Great video. I'll give it a go on my RIB tomorrow. Thank you!

[@DangarMarine]

Good luck!

[@kanenorman2136]

Awesome tutorial.. followed the steps and my steering seems heaps better. Thanks bro, from NZ.🤙🏽

[@pmreales]

Great video. I'm a newby in boating and I should be able to give it a go trying to fix my boat.

[@DangarMarine]

Thanks Pedro, good luck with the job.

[@MrPropanePete]

Really well explained. My mate's boat has stiff steering, I'll put him onto your video.

[@DangarMarine]

Thanks mate, good luck!

[@Fireship1]

Great video Stu. The big boat I have has hydraulic steering, but my little Starcraft aluminum boat has this same setup. This video will likely come in handy when it's time to clean up and lube that steering cable.

[@DangarMarine]

+Fireship1 it certainly doesn't hurt to do it every now and then before it gets bad.

[@steverollins7904]

I know this video is old but it helped me tremendously. Thank you Stu. Amazing video.

[@brsolutions2]

Thanks for your vid. Helped me a lot. Mine was needed the cable replaced.

[@fatb0tLP]

Keep these up, I always watch them. Thank you for making them

[@DangarMarine]

+fatb0tLP You're welcome, glad you enjoy. :)

[@coreyd944]

Very nicely done sir. Loved the comprehensive video. So many answers, I felt like I paid for this. I'll be repeat customer too. Been working on, "rebuilding" actually a G3 bass pro with 50h Yama. I just finished fabricating a side console, and bench seat. Got everything mounted with new universal aftermarket center console fiberglass/plastic piece. I bought the boat in pieces, most of which aren't there. The guy was rebuilding it for a gator hunting boat (here in Florida) and stripped it. Thank heavens he left with harness, steering and throttle/shifter connected, but there's a new top finish piece to a center console I believe, that I made to a side console. I got steering mounted today and everything is super stiff. I've been passing up on the "aerosol lithium" because I thought it was lesser than. I always assumed that thick grease packed in there would continuously re grease that bad boy with every turn. But locally the stores haven't had a replacement tube of white lithium grease in store's. But after watching your video it had me thinking 🤔, is that aresole grease really enough if your out it that boat daily driving for weeks and years on end ? I live in Florida, Probably 20 miles from the beach, (the way the crow flies) and I would assume that one or two little shots of white lithium in an aresole can just wouldn't cut it! But your saying it will, it's a, okay?👍👌? Thanks so much for the info man, I do greatly appreciate it. Glad I found your channel, can't wait see what all you got video wise cause I got a smaller, but stout no less; list of issues I still gotta get worked out. So again thanks bud, for any input.

[@throughjackscamera4432]

This helped immensely! Thanks for sharing. 🙏

[@davidt8274]

They need to have a star rating for this video, 5/5 stars.

[@DangarMarine]

+David Tan Thanks David, glad you like it! :)

[@Mrscottyboy4]

Awesome tutorial. This was exactly my problem and fixed my issue without spending a dollar.

[@pfylip]

Great video, I need to fix my stiff steering and was looking for tips. Thanks for posting.

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome mate, just test each part separately and you'll find the fault soon enough.

[@pfylip]

Ya I just looked at mine on my 1998 Sea Ray Bowrider with a 125hp Mercury. and the grease on the rod sticking out is really hard like clay. The problem with my boat is the cable comes out from a hole about 6-8" from the tube on the motor mount. I would have to slide the rod out into the hole to get it out of the tube and I don't know if there's enough space to do that with the motor on the boat. I guess I will see.

[@troybowzer1929]

Thank you very much for this video. I was able to follow all of the steps and my steering is now very smooth. It is so helpful have guidance on these repairs so we can tackle them ourselves and save some money.

[@DangarMarine]

Glad it helped!

[@chucholoco6969]

Thank you for a helpful video.

[@bluewater9350]

Thank you, it helps me

[@danmacko8795]

Dangar is the man wish we had more of your kind in florida I've been stuck on your channel for a week at least!!!

[@DangarMarine]

Thank Dan, glad you're enjoying. :)

[@keizyshiro]

Awesome channel bro, much needed info. Would be nice to have a video on how to grease in the line with the spiral cable. Replacing the cable is becoming expensive too. Cheers Mate!

[@IdiotVSFish]

I did this last weekend. Tried to charge me 500 dollars for parts and labor at the repair shop to replace my cable. They claimed the motor had to come off to get the cables in and out due to the way the cable was run. I cut the old one off with a saw and the new one went in extremely easy.

[@DangarMarine]

+Idiot Vs Fish Nice one. I've certainly had to cut through a few of those cables in the past too.

[@thomasallan7521]

Thanks Stu. I have a relatively new boat, and ended up with a stiff ourboard pivot, as seems it wasn't greased from factory. I got it free by using a mountain bike brake bleed syringe kit i had to push degreaser from the top grease nipple through to the bottom and then worked it loose. My steering wheel is smooth, but quite a bit of play left/right. Do the steering cables often have inline barrel adjusters for tension to eliminate this. It's unlikely wear or cable stretch as the boat has only been on the water a few times. The cable free play is between the helm and the tilt tube. My cable runs under the floor, so not an easy inspection. :(

[@goranjohnny]

greetings dangar marine , quick word to say thank you and great presentation and a easy practical informative experienced marine engineering videos , keep up the good work , many thanks

[@DangarMarine]

Thanks mate, glad you are enjoying the videos. :)

[@goranjohnny]

very usefull in deed great marine outboards knowledge is interesting engineering plus may needed so it's better to be safe then sorry , many thanks

[@johnchiovarou1531]

the only thing I would mention is don't forget the O ring where the bar slides out of the pivot tube I didn't know about it the first time and it gummed up very rapidly

[@michaelgrieger6820]

Just followed this video to un-seize my steering, it was the tube full of old grease. Now it works like a charm. Thanks Danger Marine.

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome, glad you've got it fixed up now.

[@ronpowell2373]

Nicely done as an instructional. Much tighter editing without losing the facts of how hard the tube / rods can be to remove, and how brutal you have to be sometimes. You are definitely improving the video quality as you go.

[@DangarMarine]

+Ron Powell Thanks Ron. There is certainly a lot to learn about video making and I like to think I'm slowly getting better at it. :)

[@johnwaddell8390]

Thank you so much. I did just what you said and worked a treat. must have saved $150 give or take.

[@PS-zx9ot]

I'm going to go conduct this test and see if this is my issue. Good video fella. Thanks

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome. Good luck!

[@DavidBrown-qx5ec]

Hi Stu, awesome tutorial. My steering rod wasn’t as tight so I didn’t have to beat the rod into the middle of next week. I also appreciate the tip on what type of lube to use, I normally would of covered the rod in marine grease.

[@DangarMarine]

Grease has a habit of going hard in salt. Like spray-on white lithium grease works well and some swear by just straight motor oil.

[@DavidBrown-qx5ec]

Dangar Marine My outboard has a Steer Easy lubrication setup, ( I could not find any info on the web about it) I was wondering what type of fluid to put into it, I guess I could run a light grade engine oil.

[@daveteykl7457]

Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge!

[@DangarMarine]

My pleasure!

[@sarahanderson8920]

Hi mate if you have a existing hole like you had drilling the new steering, screw a thin plywood on the inside it will then keep your drill bit in place to drill the new hole. Excellent Videos 👍

[@michaelprosser131]

Great video. I had the same issue with my Honda Four. If I had not watched your video I don't think I would have felt good about hammering that stainless sleeve through the tilt chamber without damaging it, but with some PB, a 4lb sledge and 16" of 1/2 solid rod I was able to get it out. Yea, I took some time but it worked! Thanks again!!

[@DangarMarine]

Thanks Michael, yeah, sometimes you just need the confidence to get a bit rough with them, they certainly can get very stuck!

[@kenhman5583]

Great explanation video. I am experiencing the same issue. And look forward to troubleshooting

[@kenhman5583]

Soooo.. I removed the link from the end of the steering pin to the steering lever on a Mercruiser Alpha 1. ... the steering wheel and pin move freely, end to end. Almost effortless. However, I’m now assuming the issue is in the gimble Housing because the drive is very difficult to swing side to side manually. There doesn’t seem to be slop in the shaft. Just VERY tight..... I noticed there was a bunch of old corrosion on the transom side of steering lever so I poked at it with a long screwdriver. And gave it a good shot of WD-40 in hopes of freeing up some of the corrosion and tightness. No good. Once I reconnected the link, it was still very stiff. I’m weary of getting involved with removing the gimble ring and servicing, but I don’t see any other way to find a solution unless this shaft is removed and either replaced or cleaned up from the inside. Any thoughts ?

[@alwayskeen2871]

Thanks heaps for all your vids man. I got a pride panther 90.

[@cypedersen7782]

Great summary. Found it very helpful.

[@markpeterson391]

I second mcaddygolf's statement. It was like talking to a marine mechanic face to face. The wire brush he showed us is available in a shotgun cleaning kit. It probably takes the 4-10 brush but I will check it out. Thanks.

[@brynmitchell5774]

So so well presented , I am beginning to overcome my fear of my incompetence with my boat motor...thank you .

[@DangarMarine]

You can do it!