Steering advice..........

[Holy Canvas]

Just got a Tracker boat with a 110 Rude on it. It's about 20 years old. Great shape, except the steering is VERY stiff. Hasn't been used in a couple of years. I think I would like to try with the steering cables first. Can I just unhook them from the motor to see if the motor turns easier with them off, thus I would KNOW it's the cables? If it is, is this somthing a novice could replace on his own, or should I just bring it in? If it's not the cables, any other suggestions to try? Sorry for the long winded post!

[broken_line]

put some grease on the bar and look to see if your motor has a steering friction screw where it should be right under the cowling.. does it turn like a manual steer car in the parking lot?

[marine_man]

The other thing you can do is disconnect the drag link on the motor from the steering cable.

On the LH side of the motor, you should see a piece of steel that's bent in a L that goes from a mount right underneath the lower cowling of your motor in the center to the steering cable. Take the nut & washers off the drag link at the steering cable and see if the motor turns freely, and what the steering cable feels like when you turn it now that it's loose from the motor.

If it's still tight, it's probably time for a replacement. It is something you can do, but the trick is if you can get the steering cable shaft out of the motor without lifting the motor off. If there's not enough space to pull the entire length of the steering cable shaft out, you'll have to pull the motor, which isn't difficult, but one more thing to do; if you have the equipment to lift the motor.

marine_man

[Holy Canvas]

Thanks for the advice fellas, I'm going to go take a look at it now. You've given me some confidence!