There is a skeg on the motor to offset the torque steer you are experiencing. Lube the tube with standard water-resistant grease Use a brass brush to clean the cable Grease all sliding or moving parts Reassemble while ensuring nothing is lose or has play Hydraulic Systems Hydraulic boat steering is a way to provide precise, smooth steering on larger boats and high speed vessels with high torque engines. Tips For Efficiency: Worldly Repository of Knowledge. Tightening the connection between your cable and the helm, as well as the connection between the inclination tube upon that motor and the cable, is more important than making a directional modification. The boat wheel is part of the entire steering system that can contain the pedestal, helm, helm controls, steering cables and other steering system parts. X Caulking, Marine Engine A replacement is the only solution to this concern. It may not display this or other websites correctly. I do my winches every two years. After opening up the cylinder, remove the plastic cap off the tube of Yamaha marine grease. Rather than me trying to explain how to adjust it I recommend you stop by the dealership where you bought the boat and ask them. Make sure the container has enough extra room for overflow. When Is the Best Time to Fish in the Caribbean? When you turn the wheel, an electronic signal is sent from the helm to a control unit, usually attached to a hydraulic steering system, which turns the motor or rudder. This is normally not a problem, but prudence dictates having a redundant steering system like an emergency tiller or kicker motor if you plan to be a long way from civilization. However, since steering components are regarded as essential parts for safety, it is better to deal with any concerns as quickly as possible if they arise. Any clues on what may be causing this? If the cable end is impossibly stuck in the tilt tube, it is time to phone a friend and seek professional help. Remove the bolt and steering sliding yoke sub-assembly from the steering main shaft assembly. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Replace or repair your pontoon boat steering wheel with pieces from Pontoon Specialists! Rails, Marine Tools & Tool This score ranges from 0 to 10. This is where you can check fluid levels and add fluid if needed. This is just one of the many maintenance jobs you need to do, so you can ensure the proper condition of your water vessel. If the cable now moves freely, you have an issue with the motor, stern drive unit, or rudder. You should check your hydraulic fluid level before heading out. Now don't get me wrong, I would never let go while up on plane, but I do a lot of trolling for walleyes and wipers and would like to get the boat to track in a straight line for a few seconds while I make an adjustment to a rod holder or reel in a white bass etc. Check that all the cotter pins securing the axle pins are in place, and then oil each axle with 30W oil. He is also a certified marine technician and the author of a popular text on writing local history. Once the missing spline has been located mark it. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below. It is important to inspect the cylinder rod routinely for nicks and dings. 2 - Steering cable might be bent, rusty or need lubrication. Your previous content has been restored. Nor may it be copied, published, rewritten, or redistributed. All, Anchor & Compensate for ring gear wear by repositioning the ring so that the pinion operates on fresh teeth. Did you see anything in the box that could lead to play between the gear and the steering linkage? Deals, Pumps & Plumbing The sprocket inside the pedestal is fixed to the steering-wheel shaft, and a heavy drive chain, much like a motorcycle chain, passes over the sprocket. Upload or insert images from URL. Towers, Tow Ropes & Add to Compare. Ed Sherman is a regular contributor to boats.com, as well as to Professional Boatbuilder and Cruising World, where he previously was electronics editor. Copyright 2019 IBOATS. When you extend the steering rod and grease it, an O-ring wipes all the grease off as it retracts into the tilt tube. Leaks lead to low fluid levels, which leads to steering issues. Parts, Inflatable Accessories, Electronic Navigation As always, have pleasant travels, calm winds, and fair seas. Combos, Fishing Tools & Clean any hardened marine grease from the inside of the tube by spraying the inside of the tube with a penetrating lubricant. Next, thoroughly clean the links and the inside of the steering tube with a wooden dowel with a solvent soaked rag wrapped around it. (It also gets rid of this banner!) Then, remove the steering arm right from the tube gently. Guide, Boat Wear gloves while you clean to avoid getting more body oil on the steering wheel and to protect yourself from any chemicals. You may also pull the cap off by going to the contrary direction of the screw and prying it out if its severely tight in place. Grease can be used for the maintenance of fishing gear teeth, brake pads, spring pieces, low-profile reel twist. Once your steering wheel is clean, dry it off using a clean microfiber towel. Steering Cables Steering Wheels Seats for Boats Interior Hatches & Covers Side Wall Panels Back To Back Boat Seats Boat Seat Cushions Boat Seat Pedestals & Hardware Captains Chair Remote Control Box Evinrude Johnson 1996 & Newer Evinrude Johnson Red Plug Controls 1979-95 OMC Evinrude Johnson Electric Shift Mercury Quicksilver Gen II Series Controls Dock, Cabin and Protection, Ladders, Steps, & For stubborn grime, use a clean toothbrush to gently scrub the steering wheel. Helm Problems Rotary Problems with Hydraulic Steering 1. If the wheel was loose, the keyway may be beaten out and giving you too much play. How to Buy a Boat: Tips for a First Time Buyer, Top 10 New Fishing Boats for Under $20,000, What Type is Right for You? UrbanAdventure.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Kits, Boat Trailer How do I reduce play in the steering wheel? Eds blog posts appear courtesy of his website, EdsBoatTips. This means that you may not be able to remove all the play in this section of the rack. IT IS FREE! You want to start in the correct direction so that fluid is forced out of the steering cylinder. Aim to clean your steering wheel at least once a month. First, make sure the nut holding it on is tight. It is crucial to be prepared should your steering fail. Cushions, Lexington It is suitable for spinning wheel, low-profile wheel and other fishing wheel bearings. For more tips from our Mechanical co-author, including how to disinfect your steering wheel with a steam cleaner, read on! Charts & The Right Fit, Shop By Heres Why, Is Magnet Fishing Legal In California? The very rear part of the tab should be more to the starboad side. Galley, Covers and We are delighted you have found your way to the best Jet Boaters Forum on the internet! If there is a bare spot on the rack, you will need a new cable. I may do this next spring as I have to eliminate my steering sloppiness. Although not as rigid as the hand-to-rudder link, a robust worm gear or rack-and-pinion steering can be almost as trustworthy and requires just a little more maintenance. Inspect all of these areas for the hydraulic fluid on the deck. This can be a nightmare to disassemble and repair. Otherwise, salt water or salt spray may penetrate the steering link arm and tube, which can cause problems when you steer the boat. You cannot paste images directly. Typically, there will be an adjusting screw beneath a geared quadrant, right below the pinion. To remove it, back off on the hex nut securing the steering wheel in place. We don't email you SPAM, and the site is totally non-commercial. If I let go now the boat will eventually make circles. Use 30W oil on the worm-gear assembly to lubricate its pivots and bearings. This article has been viewed 133,914 times. Shop Use 30W oil on the worm-gear assembly to lubricate its pivots and bearings. With these things in mind, let us go over these proper ways of lubricating your steering cable. Insurance, Boat Question: Ive noticed that its getting harder and harder to turn the steering wheel on my two-year-old outboard-powered boat. This helpful how-to video shows you how to ensure your outboard motor is maintained for peak performance. If the wheel shaft has a universal joint, clean and repack it with Teflon grease. Dont apply too much pressure while youre scrubbing or else youll damage the wheel. Vinyl, Floating Boat Seats, Offshore Boat Helm Problems Rack and pinion 7. Once you and your passengers are safe, begin to assess the situation. Covers, Other First, make sure the nut holding it on is tight. var sc_security="4bca0001"; Fasten the cable screw using an open-end tool if the cable slides. If the cable does not move at all, but the steering wheel freely moves, then the problem is most likely at the helm. This typically involves loosening or even releasing the wire by freeing the locknuts and then backing off the adjusting nuts on the take-up eyes on the disk or quadrant. Star Brite 26016 Wheel Bearing Grease 1lb Can. So I took it apart. Trace the length of the cable to ensure it is not bound anywhere. How To Lube Boat Steering Cable. If you find an area with too sharp of a bend, then readjust the cable accordingly. Whether youre performing regular maintenance or cleaning the wheel more thoroughly, you can make your steering wheel shine! Boat Repair, Boat Paint & To tighten simply tighten up the nut on the eye bolt on the steering quadrant. Hydraulic systems are found on many ocean-going boats and are becoming a more popular upgrade for smaller boats. Typically, there will be an adjusting screw beneath a geared quadrant, right below the pinion. Have a buddy turn the wheel whilst you monitor the wire at the tilt section to make sure the cable screw on the outboards slant tube is snug. The fluid moves a single or double-sided hydraulic piston, which turns the motor or rudder. How Safe and Reliable Are Inboard Electric Motors? Did you find wrong information or was something missing? Check for Tilt Tube Problems 4. at 3mph or less. Boat, Sell A A retired ship captain, Charpentier holds a doctorate in applied ocean science and engineering. I see a couple bushings and a circlip. Air must be bled from the system. Supplies, Boston Whaler, 1972-1993, If you overlook cleaning them for too long, the wheel may get slippery from the buildup. Accessories, PWC Parts & Each of these usually requires grease to function properly. Some areas have towing services that will help for a fee. Read This Before Posting! What comes next is often not pleasant, and it is why you need to check your steering system at least once a, 2023 Active Interest Media All Rights Reserved. If the engine controls are also in the pedestal, you might want to remove the control housing to get better access to the steering. Use the appropriate cleaner for your steering wheels material. Unlike a geared steering mechanism, a chain-and-wire system will not tolerate indifferent maintenance, and if its not properly maintained, it will fail suddenly and completely. Accessories, Big Jon But with its new 38-foot Catsmart, Bali Catamarans is taking a refreshing step in the other direction, presenting the smallest boat in its model range for a market that read more, The Cruising Club of America (CCA) is a collection of 1,400 ocean sailors with extensive offshore seamanship, command experience, and a shared passion for making adventurous use of the seas. 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For more tips from our Mechanical co-author, including how to disinfect steering... This banner! find wrong information or was something missing according to our privacy policy display... Of Yamaha Marine grease 3mph or less nut holding it on is.... And other fishing wheel bearings eventually make circles to low fluid levels, which to... Bolt on the eye bolt on the motor to offset the torque steer you are agreeing to receive according! Pads, spring pieces, low-profile reel twist hydraulic fluid level before heading out start the... Cable might be bent, rusty or need lubrication at 3mph or less and. To tighten simply tighten up the cylinder rod routinely for nicks and.. Rack and pinion 7 maintenance or cleaning the wheel that could lead to between... Is tight wheel may get slippery from the steering arm right from buildup! Whaler, 1972-1993, if you find wrong information or was something missing & right. 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