Tiller Sttering Issue

[jeepguy]

I have a 1987 Mercury 25 HP Outboard on my 14 ft boat. Beginning last fall it started veering off to the right if you would let go of the tiller handle. I took it out the othr day and messed with the trim tab and that did nothing. I took a fellow boaters advice and pumped the old grease out of the shafted and replaced with new grease, seemed to stiffen the steering up a bit (although I have not lake tested it yet). Doe anyone have any advice on how to remedy this problem or is there a way to tighten the pivot point. Any help/ideas would be much appreciated.

[VMS]

There should be a bolt or screw on the side of the pivot housing to tighten up the steering.

I have always kept mine tight enough so that if I let go of the handle, it would stay in the direction I have the boat going.

Steve

[NELS-BELLS]

Make sure that the skeg is not bent. You probably just need to trim the motor up or down. Try raising it one notch and see if its worse or better. My motor pulls really hard to one side when the motor isn't trimed correctly.

Nels

[S.D. Ice Angular]

I have the same problem with a 25 HP Johnson tiller on a 16' boat.

I have tried several things last fall but nothing has worked so far. (there is still ice around here, so I have not had it out this spring yet)

And I don't imagine the gremlins fixed it while in storage over the winter.

Any additional advice would be great.

[jeepguy]

I called a Mercury Dealer. The told me if you are experiencing this problem to look for a plate that is located somewhere between the transom clamps and the lifting handle (front sode of the motor to aid in removing/installing the motor). This plate can sometimes be worn out, but usually requires sliding it to the left or right depending on if you want it looser or tighter. He told me to give it a try, so with that said I will do so this evening and report back to let anyone who is interested know if it works.