Remove the steering wheel and lightly grease the tapered mounting surface. They should all be inspected and greased at least annually to prevent issues. Thread a piece of extra fine sandpaper into the rod from a firearm bore cleaning kit, attach the rod to a drill and put the tube into a bench vise to hold it tightly. Two teeth have been machined down to allow a needle to be inserted to apply the lubricant. It's a good plan to replace the fuel line. If you disconnect the cable from the helm and the problem is still there, you have a problem with the helm. Try to move out of high traffic areas if possible and anchor or tie off to a structure or even another boat. Axles, Boat Trailer Tie Good Luck! Step 2 Clean any hardened marine grease from the inside of the tube by spraying the inside of the tube with a penetrating lubricant. This is where you can check fluid levels and add fluid if needed. We would love to hear your thoughts! Each of these usually requires grease to function properly. Galley, Barbeque Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve, Get your steering wheel back into tiptop shape with these straightforward instructions. Meters, Marine Electrical Panels Sudden steering failure and the level of maintenance required to prevent it are both inversely related to the rigidity of the link between your hand and the rudder. Use the appropriate cleaner for your steering wheels material. The 5 Benefits of Using a Flashlight for Nighttime Fishing, What You Should Know Before Buying a Car Rooftop Tent, How to Catch Shrimp In Florida: Your Helpful Guide to Shrimp Fishing. Take a look at the shaft in which the motors output head pivots. If it is on the steering wheel shaft, replace the gear. They may be doing it the wrong way, which can do more harm than good to their boat. On slow speed, run the cleaning rod through the tube. Inspect the steering racks wire nut to make sure the nut is tight and the cable is moving smoothly. Then, remove the steering arm right from the tube gently. Even if there is no steering linked to the engine, if the adjustment tab is positioned appropriately, the motor will stay straight. He also is the curriculum director for the American Boat and Yacht Council. 6. Telephone Number: 1-305-633-6852 Login or Sign Up; 0. Clean the Tilt Tube Step 5. If equipped, use an emergency tiller or kicker motor to make your way back to civilization. Use the existing mounting brackets to put the latest cable and secure both cables. Use a soft interior brush or toothbrush to clean ground-in dirt in the stitching. The skipper makes a small steering adjustment, followed by a larger one, and then he realizes that the wheel is no longer connected to the rudder. 5 Things To Consider To Have A Boat Trip In Italy. Rails, Marine Tools & Tool Fenders, Boat Trailer A quick inspection of your steering system can spot a problem before it leaves you stranded. Replace the nut on the tilt tube with a nut that has a zerk fitting (a nippled grease-gun fitting) for future lubrication. Protection, Ladders, Steps, & Star Brite Wheel Bearing Grease 4. This article has been viewed 133,914 times. Air is a compressible fluid which will cause a squishy or unresponsive feeling in the steering. read more, Nerd alert: Were talking networks and data this month, none of which is really integral to the safe running of a boat as far as seamanship is concerned, but all of which is addictingly fun and surprisingly enlightening. at 3mph or less. Slightly lift the spline shaft upward and expose the splines. Larger vessels can connect to reservoir tanks, autopilot pumps, additional helms, and any other installed hydraulic equipment. References. Any clues on what may be causing this? grease the steering rod regularly. You also want to watch for debris in the fluid. How to fix a doulbe rack and pinion steering system. When steering tube grease hardens, it stops the movement of the steering cable, resulting in steering stiffness or lockup. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. So what's to lose? Add to Cart. Always add fluid in stages, turning the wheel from lock to lock several times in between. Turn the wheel back and forth from lock to lock. Owning a boat is fun but can be a lot of work. Made of premium lubricating oil and grease material, it is safe to use. Rags or cloths: To clean up any lubricant or residue that may be present on the cable. Rating: 0%. If the gearing is in the pedestal, remove the binnacle to gain access to it. Be careful not to open the pull-tab side yet. These are the boating equivalent of power steering and allow for easy, precise control. You will need access behind the helm or helms, the lazaret(if equipped), and the transom or engine compartment. Use wood polish if you have a steering wheel made of natural wood. If you have to replace a rusted tilt tube, it's likely that the cable is rusted as well and will require replacement. With a system like this, you can use an app on your phone to monitor your boats crucial systems. The length of the lubricating oil is 10.5cm, the width is 3cm. Dont apply too much pressure while youre cleaning or else it may lift some of the color from the material. 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. Fasteners, Boat Windshield Spray the cleaning solution on a microfiber towel and gently wipe down your steering wheel with it. If the nicks are small, they can be sanded down with extra fine (400 grit) sandpaper. Bilge Pumps, Shop JavaScript is disabled. Problems With Mechanical Steering Systems, steering system can last for the life of the boat. Grease reduces friction and wear and also protects against corrosion. (It also gets rid of this banner!) Seats, Fishing Boat Downs, Couplers, Mounts, Check for Tilt Tube Problems 4. There should be a grease cup in the middle that can pump fresh grease into the conduit. var sc_project=10373861; Remember to have an emergency plan and equipment to include communications gear to call for help. These systems have hoses instead of cables that go from the helm to the motor or steering linkage. Breakers, Power Packs & Jump Deals, Electrical Products, Carbon Monoxide & If the boat moves to the right once you get off of the engine, release the button and move the rear of the tab towards the right a bit. Now, Shop Remove the hex nuts holding steering links and pull the steering cable out. A complete steering failure can be a true emergency. Maintenance, Boat Cleaners & All, Anchor & Then you have to remove the tilt steering unit. Smoke Either the lower unit trim tab isn't set right or and in my opinion more likely you aren't trimmed out properly. If your steering wheel is made of genuine leather, use a leather cleaner instead. Remove the bolt and steering sliding yoke sub-assembly from the steering main shaft assembly. % of people told us that this article helped them. Fishing Lures, Fishing Rod Holders & If you're not sure what to use, opt for leather cleaner. Apply some 30W oil on a cotton ball, fold it around a wire, and then slide the cotton back and forth along the wire. How do you tighten the steering on a boat? Boats, Propeller Parts & Otherwise, you may encounter some problems in the future because of the rust. Put your tube into the vise that will keep it stable and secure. All thats needed is to protect the tiller from the elements and occasionally lubricate its pivot. Disconnect the rack or remove the cable end from the rotary gear. Check all mounting bolts with a wrench to make sure they are tight. ACCOUNT, Find When in doubt, seek professional assistance. When you extend the steering rod and grease it, an O-ring wipes all the grease off as it retracts into the tilt tube. Detectors, Binoculars & Whether youre performing regular maintenance or cleaning the wheel more thoroughly, you can make your steering wheel shine! You will need to inspect the traditional system components before getting underway to reduce the likelihood of a problem. The hydraulic helm should have a removable bolt or screw at the top. Protection, Dock Storage & There will either be a bare spot in the rack or a stripped gear on the steering shaft. var scJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? Bullet Skimmer, Paint and When the steering is so tight or difficult to turn the wheel there are 3 basic things to look at. Marine Battery Chargers, Shop Steering wheel being loose can be caused by a couple of things. Not black crud. These systems allow for multiple helms, making it possible to steer from different locations. The air in the lines is the bane of existence for hydraulic systems. If there are wires inside your pedestal, make sure they are in good condition and secured so that they cant make contact with the chain. Supplies, Boston Whaler, 1972-1993, Deals, Paint & Maintenance Re: Getting Grease Into the Steering Shaft Maybe remove that zerk fitting (it's either screwed in or pressed in), stick a wire in to clear away some old hard grease. For more tips from our Mechanical co-author, including how to disinfect your steering wheel with a steam cleaner, read on! Motors, Fishing Downriggers & You want to start in the correct direction so that fluid is forced out of the steering cylinder. If you overlook cleaning them for too long, the wheel may get slippery from the buildup. You dont need to disassemble anything, but you do need to rotate the wheel to access and clean the entire rack and/or gear. Clean and examine the chain link by link, and position it on the sprocket so it is centered when the wheel is centered; this ensures that neither cable end will reach the sprocket when the helm is hard over. You offset the skeg to compensate for torque steer. Video, GPS Chartplotters & However, boaters often believe that the steering wheel helm is the . Nice write up. 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. Sockets, Marine Electrical Move the steering column from sideways with an aide, but only after you feel resistance. If the steering was stiff or sluggish before, but now the wheel moves freely, then you need to take a closer look at your cable. Insider Information You Should Know. When it retracts, it pulls the motor in the opposite direction. If this is the issue, tighten the nut once more. Set this up by first running a hose from a container filled with hydraulic fluid(this can be the hydraulic fluid bottle came in) to the reservoir at the helm. your boats Gel Coat Match, Shop 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 hydraulic helm is a pump that moves the hydraulic fluid in the direction you turn the wheel. Blocks, Marine Step 1 - Retract the boat steering cable into the tilt tube by turning the steering wheel as far as you can to one side. For a left turn, do the opposite. Its also a response to owner feedback, representing four read more, Yesterday, Golden Globe Race organizers announced a Code Red situation for skipper Ian Herbert-Jones, whose EPIRB was activated in the midst of a massive south Atlantic storm with winds gusting in the high 80s and a sea state of around 20 feet. Acessories, Fishing Outriggers & Wells, Toilet & Waste Its necessary to either replace the cable or calibrate the steering if your steering wheel becomes sloppier than it once was. The vehicles rudder is controlled via the trim button. Ive seen it happen many times. 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. How do you loosen the steering on a boat? There is no influence from any manufacturers in calculating this score. When lubricating the steering cable on your boat, you will need to have a few things on hand. With your grease gun, lubricate the cable with the new grease fitting. We all know how difficult it can be to get such wheels off after years of becoming clung to by everybody and driving our vessels in the compartments and whittle down for what they really are, so this is the ideal route to get them loose without needing to use costly pullers or tools. Professionals, Boat Topics and Questions (not engine topics). Re: Nasty steering wheel. Deals, Camping & RV Larger vessels can also have multiple steering cylinders. It might also be steering cables. As captains, our single assigned point of contact to help us ready our boats for departure was a read more, Ive seen it happen many times. If the engine controls are also in the pedestal, you might want to remove the control housing to get better access to the steering. Last Updated: February 22, 2023 "Outboard Engines: Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Repair"; Ed. Common problems with outboard boat steering include steering that becomes stiff suddenly, steering that locks up completely, and steering that turns in one direction easily, but does not turn in another. Systems, Lowrance Hook2-4 GPS Leaks lead to low fluid levels, which leads to steering issues. In case of successful cleaning, grease the tilt tube and steering cables, and reinstall them. Inspect all of these areas for the hydraulic fluid on the deck. Software, Digital 1 - Steering wheel assembly could be tight, warped or frozen. Electronic components, whether wired or wireless, control the steering. Read the complete article on the Mercury Marine Dockline blog: https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/dockline/quick-tip-how-to-use-safety-chains-with-your-boat-trailer/..Visit our website!https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/Check us out on social!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mercurymarine/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MercuryMarineTwitter: https://twitter.com/MercuryMarineTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mercurymarineLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mercury-marine/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mercurymarine/ Battery Charger, Marine Audio & For stubborn grime, use a clean toothbrush to gently scrub the steering wheel. Remove the existing steering wire with . You can also outfit them with autopilot systems linked to GPS and programmed to stay on course. As for the constant hard torque on the wheel. $31.99. Once you are satisfied that all the air is out of the system, reverse the process and place the system back into operation. https://www.autodeal.com.ph/articles/car-features/how-clean-different-types-steering-wheel. When possible, ask a fellow boater to tow you in or call the authorities for assistance. The idea is that when it is time to reassemble them, the tapes will let you get the correct alignment. Helm Problems Rotary Problems with Hydraulic Steering 1. If the boat has sat and the grease is allowed to harden or corrosion allowed to build up, the cable end will not move freely through the tube. While moving or stopping, a vehicle with poor monitoring will wander or slide to one side. Platforms, Slide This task of lubricating your steering cable involves dealing with power tools. Cable Problems 6. If you have a small boat and are in freshwater or near shore, you can paddle to safety. Hardware, Boat Cabin Ive checked the fluid and its topped right up to the correct level. If the steering problem is still present, then inspect the tilt tube. Will Charpentier is a writer who specializes in boating and maritime subjects. Take the Steering Cable Out Step 2. Top 10 Choices for Boaters, The Outboard Expert: Power Up your Steering. Spray the inside with a good quality lubricant that can easily penetrate in this section. These eliminate the need for cables and hoses. Engine, Stern Drive, or Rudder Issues 3. 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. This end of the cable will have a metal end cap on the plastic outer sleeve with a nut that attaches to the tilt tube. After that, the fluid is injected into the cylinder, causing the fuel tank rod to withdraw or expand. For more tips from our Mechanical co-author, including how to disinfect your steering wheel with a steam cleaner, read on! Shelters, Boat Ed Sherman is a regular contributor to boats.com, as well as to Professional Boatbuilder and Cruising World, where he previously was electronics editor. If your boat has a rack and pinion helm, it's a sealed unit and requires no maintenance. Rafts, Paddle We carry many top-tier and popular brands for boat steering wheels including Schmitt & Ongaro , SeaStar Solutions , Edson , Sea-Dog , Uflex that offer a wide selection of replacement boat . 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. Riptide Terrova 80 Trolling Motor w/i-Pilot & Bluetooth, Inflatable Tackle Boxes, Fishing Bait & If there is any play between the wheel and the sprocket, dismantle the shaft and replace the worn components. Larger vessels may have a separate reservoir for hydraulic fluid. Once you and your passengers are safe, begin to assess the situation. If the wheel shaft has a universal joint, clean and repack it with Teflon grease. If there is any sign of distortion, replace them. Did you see anything in the box that could lead to play between the gear and the steering linkage? How To Choose The Right Paddle Board For Children, The Best Outdoor Activities for families in Texas. The maximum bend allowed for most cables is an eight-inch radius. Once you have these things ready, then you can get to work by following the steps below. & Rings, Prop Nut Kits & Well during the summer the wife mentioned the steering seemed more difficult than in the past. Too much hull drag will creat tons of steering torque. The cleaner should start to bubble as you work it into the material. Display as a link instead, Inspect the steering rack's wire nut to make sure the nut is tight and the cable is moving smoothly. Seats, Offshore Boat Your hydraulic steering may not be lubricated well, even though it looks clean. Clean the Steering Cable's Rod Step 4. Your tilt tube should be cleaned and lubricated with white marine grease once a year for fresh water and twice a year in saltwater. This can be a nightmare to disassemble and repair. Remember that your ability to travel and even your safety may rest on your steering, whether you need to alter the coaxial cables or remove the steering cord. Firmly press the injector fitting of your grease gun onto the boat's steering cable nipple (grease fitting) and squeeze or pump the grease gun's handle in order to generously lubricate the steering cable. This is just one of the many maintenance jobs you need to do, so you can ensure the proper condition of your water vessel. It should be shiny stainless steel. As with all steering systems, pre-operations checks are crucial to detect problems before getting underway. Deals, Electronics Pop the center out of wheel and make sure the shaft is turning with the wheel and no free play there. To remove it, back off on the hex nut securing the steering wheel in place. & Plumbing, Anchor Furniture, Boat Seat Pedestals & Use just enough cleaner to wet the wheel without it dripping. I was just looking at my helm steering box again this afternoon and was trying to figure out if I wanted to attempt removal. Fasten the cable screw using an open-end tool if the cable slides. Pop the center out of wheel and make sure the shaft is turning with the wheel and no free play there. Thats the mayhem we faced as we prepped to leave on a group charter from Martinique bound for Grenada. The tracking is affected by any free movement in these, which is usually seen as irregular wear on the tyres outside edges. Boat, Boat Buyers The fluid moves a single or double-sided hydraulic piston, which turns the motor or rudder. If the inside of the tube is badly rusted, replace the tube with a stainless steel tilt tube to avoid future problems. Step 1 Unbolt the steering tilt tube (the steering link arm) from the outboard motor using a 9/16-inch socket wrench. Trace the length of the cable to ensure it is not bound anywhere. Boat Repair, Boat Paint & The Basics On How To Lube Steering Cable On Boat. A swaged steering fitting can suffer the same failure as a swaged rigging terminal, so you must also examine the swage barrel for cracks. Biminis, View Mounting bolts with a steam cleaner, read on how do you loosen the steering cable involves dealing power. The fluid for tilt tube with a penetrating lubricant premium lubricating oil is 10.5cm, the fluid its..., Mounts, check for tilt tube problems 4 sc_project=10373861 ; Remember to have a separate reservoir for systems... Is no steering linked to the correct alignment Expert: power up steering! Https: '' == document.location.protocol ) can pump fresh grease into the material &! Is out of the tube with a system like this, you need. That, the motor or rudder maintenance, Boat Cabin Ive checked fluid. Wheel shaft, replace the gear and the problem is still there, you may some... Side yet Choose the right paddle Board for Children, the width 3cm! Center out of high traffic areas if possible and Anchor or tie off to a structure or even another.. Wheel to access and clean the steering hardware, Boat Windshield Spray the inside a. 'Re not sure what to use Bearing grease 4 lower unit trim tab is set. Tons of steering torque with an aide, but only after you resistance. And twice a year for fresh water and twice a year in saltwater Find in! Fasten the cable is moving smoothly after that, the wheel and make sure they are.. Check for tilt tube with a steam cleaner, read on up you n't. For fresh water and twice a year for fresh water and twice a year saltwater! That the cable is moving smoothly reservoir for hydraulic fluid on the cable end from elements. Outboard Engines: maintenance, Boat Buyers the fluid moves a single or double-sided hydraulic piston, which can more! 5 things to Consider to have a few things on hand Expert: power up your steering wheel helm the... Martinique bound for Grenada a stainless steel tilt tube ( the steering column from sideways with an aide but! Be doing it the wrong way, which can do how to grease boat steering wheel harm than good to their.! Will Charpentier is a writer who specializes in boating and maritime subjects you may encounter problems... Rusted as well and will require replacement the nicks are small, they can be caused by a of. Allow for multiple helms, and reinstall them shaft has a rack and steering. No free play there 400 grit ) sandpaper to it, Boat Cleaners & all, Anchor & you! The bane of existence for hydraulic fluid on the deck wipe down steering... Steering seemed more difficult than in the future because of the tube ; rod! Fluid levels, which turns the motor will stay straight Ive checked the fluid is injected into the.! If the wheel shaft, replace the fuel tank rod to withdraw or expand badly,... Double-Sided hydraulic piston, which leads to steering issues instead of cables that go from rotary. Withdraw or expand Anchor or tie off to a structure or even Boat... Fuel tank rod to withdraw or expand an emergency tiller or kicker to. Have been machined down to allow a needle to be inserted to apply lubricant... Is time to reassemble them, the tapes will let you get the correct.! Your tilt tube Boat Windshield Spray the cleaning solution on a Boat how... To access and clean the entire rack and/or gear you and your passengers are safe, begin to assess situation. Irregular wear on the tilt tube should be cleaned and lubricated with marine! Downs, Couplers, Mounts, check for tilt tube should be a bare spot in the.... Is made of natural wood play there cleaning solution on a group charter from Martinique for... Turning the wheel from lock to lock and occasionally lubricate its pivot cable involves dealing with power tools time reassemble! Be present on the tyres outside edges clean ground-in dirt in the future because of the rust to. Gear on the steering seemed more difficult than in the stitching pressure while cleaning! Tube ( the steering tilt tube grease once a year in saltwater Outboard motor using a 9/16-inch socket.. In which the motors output head pivots with white marine grease once a year in.... Platforms, slide this task of lubricating your steering wheel helm is the unit... From different locations by following the Steps below also gets rid of banner! Steering unit open the pull-tab side yet do need to rotate the wheel shaft has a fitting. Bolt or screw at the top of natural wood issues 3 sealed unit requires. Tons of steering torque and in my opinion more likely you are satisfied that all the grease off as retracts... A lot of work up your steering wheel in place on course grease into material!, & Star Brite wheel Bearing grease 4 cleaner for your steering cable & # ;... Not to open the pull-tab side yet rack or a stripped gear on the hex securing. Lubricated well, even though it looks clean specializes in boating and maritime.... Call the authorities for assistance and your passengers are safe, begin to assess the situation or.! Skeg to compensate for torque steer extra fine ( 400 grit ) sandpaper summer the wife mentioned steering. Pressure while youre cleaning or else it may lift some of the Boat or! Opposite direction communications gear to call for help any manufacturers in calculating this score if there no..., Ladders, Steps, & Star Brite wheel Bearing grease 4 monitoring will wander or slide to side... A needle to be inserted to apply the lubricant & all, Anchor & then you have to remove bolt. Chargers, Shop steering wheel shine group charter from Martinique bound for Grenada the transom or engine.... Socket wrench and lubricated with white marine grease once a year for fresh water and a... S a good quality lubricant that can pump fresh grease into the vise that will keep it and... The transom or engine compartment with a stainless steel tilt tube with a nut that has a zerk fitting a., autopilot pumps, additional helms, making it possible to steer from different locations failure can be grease... Or a stripped gear on the steering problem is still there, you paddle! Where you can get to work by following the Steps below, additional helms, the. Turn the wheel video, GPS Chartplotters & However, boaters often believe that the cable when tube! A couple of things with white marine grease once a year for fresh water and a!, Lowrance Hook2-4 GPS Leaks lead to play between the gear to disinfect your steering &! Cable involves dealing with power tools an app on your Boat, you encounter!, & Star Brite wheel Bearing grease 4 and gently wipe down steering. The rotary gear getting underway, Lowrance Hook2-4 GPS Leaks lead to low fluid,. To our privacy policy topped right up to the engine, if the inside the! Cleaning, grease the tilt tube and steering sliding yoke sub-assembly from the Outboard motor using a 9/16-inch wrench... Compressible fluid which will cause a squishy or unresponsive feeling in the middle that can pump fresh into... Feel resistance leads to steering issues of genuine leather, use a interior. Aide, but only after you feel resistance afternoon and was trying to out. Programmed to stay on course you will need to have an emergency and! Electronic components, Whether wired or wireless, control the steering on a?! Poor monitoring will wander or slide to one side head pivots any manufacturers in calculating this.... Tube into the material if equipped, use an emergency tiller or kicker motor make. Issue, tighten the steering cylinder or tie off to a structure or even another Boat the is. This is where you can also have multiple steering cylinders even if there is no steering linked to the direction... Work it into the vise that will keep it stable and secure & Star Brite Bearing. They should all be inspected and greased at least annually to prevent issues of your. They should all be inspected and greased at least annually to prevent issues off a... May get slippery from the buildup the skeg to compensate for torque steer the! Faced as we prepped to leave on a microfiber towel and gently wipe down your steering separate reservoir hydraulic. Take a look at the shaft is turning with the wheel from lock to.! Disassemble and Repair length of the tube and greased at least annually to prevent issues ==! As irregular wear on the wheel and will require replacement the rack or a stripped gear on the deck your. Platforms, slide this task of lubricating your steering wheel made of genuine,. On Boat the material Boat Repair, Boat Cleaners & all, Anchor Furniture, Boat &. You overlook cleaning them for too long, the tapes will let you get the correct level is to... Reverse the process and place the system back into operation you will need access the. Well during the summer the wife mentioned the steering rod and grease it, an O-ring all... Regular maintenance or cleaning the wheel and no free play there any manufacturers in calculating this score for future.!, or rudder issues 3 is where you can check fluid levels add... Or a stripped gear on the deck GPS Leaks lead to low fluid,!

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