How to easily fix stiff steering on the old boat motors for the home handyman

An easy step by step guide to freeing up the steering on your outboard
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[@roger9453]

Outstanding! Going to give this a shout this weekend! I was told by the mechanic that the only way to fix the stiff steering in our whaler was to remove the power head!

[@theserenityhunter788]

Won’t make it new again but will definitely make it easier and extend the time before getting a new motor. 🍻

[@Whittmike2011]

I'm glad I only have to turn my steering wheel halfway, instead of 18 times!

[@theserenityhunter788]

You on a jet ski?

[@Whittmike2011]

@@theserenityhunter788 Our boat has Rack & Pinion steering. You turn a quarter turn left or a quarter turn right. It's an 86 Bass Boat!

[@DrMad-qe3pr]

Thank you so much. I’ll try this on my old motor and I hope it will work. Cheers.

[@theserenityhunter788]

No worries. Had to do mine again the other week. Winter certainly stiffens it up. 🍻

[@Troopstan]

I’d love to see more tips like this if you do come across them. Great vid and always tune in. Thank you. Great channel.

[@theserenityhunter788]

Thanks mate. 🍻

[@TheDuffman1986]

Great tips mate, thanks! My steering is slipping one way but not the other even after going over and cleaning and greasing everything so I guess it’s a new steering cable I need although nothing looks worn down, cogs, cable etc

[@theserenityhunter788]

If you were going to replace the cable maybe just disconnect it from the motor first and see if the motor will move side to side. Might be nothing wrong with the cable. 🤷‍♂️

[@TheDuffman1986]

You were right, the cable is perfect, changed the helm today due to a worn cog, she is still stiff tho as my pivot shaft is sticking also, I got a heat gun today so Il tackle that tomorrow, if it doesn’t work then il remove and clean the shaft and be done with it👌

[@TheDuffman1986]

Hopefully 🍀 🛥️ 🎣

[@theserenityhunter788]

Great. You will be doing donuts in no time 🍻

[@TheDuffman1986]

@@theserenityhunter788 I took out the nipple and it was blocked up with salt on the pivot casing, cleaned it out, pumped in grease and she is sweet🙂

[@thatflippinrabbit954]

I'd say you are one lucky BLOKE to get that grease soft with a heat gun after 20yrs,i think you are to pump grease till it comes out past the bushing this way it dispels the old hard grease as this is exactly what causes the problem. ..

[@theserenityhunter788]

Yeah you’re right but I don’t want to kill the seals permanently. I’ve just used this motor at length on my holiday to Coral Bay and it’s still going great. The steering still gives me grief. The heat helps for a time before needing doing again. I will continue to do until the new shiny motor jumps on. 🍻

[@fishonkayakadventure]

pretty sure this will terminate the seals in that pivot. would not suggest this for a boat that sees saltwater

[@theserenityhunter788]

My boat is 95% used in salt water and so far all good. Boat is used weekly. Having a good smear of grease over area certainly helps. It will do until I can replace the 20+ year old motor. 🍻

[@susannamartin6769]

🙌 𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖒𝖔𝖘𝖒