Frozen steering Mercury outboard

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packratt

New Member
The steering on a 1985 mercury 35 hp I bought is locked up.

I've attempted with hammer and air punch to knock the steering shaft back through the tilt tube.

My parts CD doesn't have the pics and the shop manual disc doesn't tell how to remove the tilt tube.

I could probably figure it out but I'd like to remove as few pieces as possible. What is the procedure for tilt tube removal?

Thanks
packratt
 
Chris

Chris

Administrator
Staff member
Welcome to our forums packratt - we appreciate you joining up.

When you say the steering is locked, what do you mean exactly?

Do you have remote steering attached to your motor?

Or is this a tiller model?

-Chris
 
P

packratt

New Member
Boat has remote steering with cable running through tilt tube to steering linkage.

The cable is frozen inside the tilt tube. I've used hammer and air chisel with punch with no luck.

Since I've got to replace the cable and likely need to replace the tilt tube. I figured I'd remove them together if that is possible.

packratt
 
Chris

Chris

Administrator
Staff member
Ok, I'm with the program and understand what you're saying now.

I've never done it myself, just read about others doing it and having the problem. I would imagine the approach you take depends on whether you plan or are prepared to replace things or want to try to salvage them. Normally I think the general approach is to pull the nut and then use something like a piece of round steel rod or hunk of metal dowel to drive it out. You can also try using something like a pipe wrench to try to break the rod free while it's still in the tube. Getting as much penatrating oil in the tube and letting it sit for a bit seems to be one of the tricks as well. As far as avoiding that by just skipping "it all" and removing the tilt tube and everything at one time, well that's beyond my backyard mechanic skills. :D

There are a couple of other things to keep in mind. The cable itself might just be seized due to hard grease or other factors, or you may also have an issue with the steering box at the wheel end. There are a number of different systems, so the issue on the wheel end can be various.

One of our members Chris E. is pretty good at this stuff, I'll send him a PM and see if he can give you some first hand advice as he's probably done this himself numerous times and can be more of a help.

-Chris
 
Chris E

Chris E

Member
i'm assuming a couple of things here

1. - you've cut the cable already near the tilt tube
2. - this is a saltwater motor

i've never seen one that badly seized although i know it does happen. i'm thinking you are going to need some good heat. i believe the tilt tube is aluminum and the stering end is stainless. so that being the case, if you heat up the aluminum, it should expand enough to make it easeier to drive out the tilt tube.

that's my 2 cents. good luck and let me know how you make out.
 
Chris

Chris

Administrator
Staff member
Thanks Chris!

Just be careful if you start heating it up and you've been soaking it in penatrating oil, as many. if not all of them are flammable. :eek:

Let us know how you make out. :)
 
P

packratt

New Member
Motor has been run in salt water.

Cable has not been cut. Tilt tube and cable are still installed in motor so I haven't taken the torches to it yet.

How does the tilt tube come out? Is it support motor, remove 2 big nuts, tap tube and cable out?

I'm aware of the flammability of PB Blaster. Been wrenching on cars and equipment for years just haven't had an outboard to work on until now. My manual disc doesn't go into tilt tube install and I don't have a parts diagram to visualize how the parts go together. I want to perform the repair with as little PITA as possible. If it ain't broke I don't want to break it.
 
Chris

Chris

Administrator
Staff member
Unfortunately, I don't have my newer Merc manual handy, just my old one.

Going from what I remember (which might not be right) you have to remove the two big bolts from either side that secure the tilt tube. The problem with doing that though, is you also have to support the motor via a hoist, or I have heard of some creative types using blocks or similar to support the motor from the bottom.

At any rate, I don't believe it's a simple as pulling the tube out and putting a new one in. The tube is an integral part of supporting the motor.

So I would think the preferable method would be to get the cable out without removing the tube. If you aren't going to try to salvage the cable then I would think cutting it and then trying to get it out leaving the tube intact would be the way to go.

Maybe Chris E. will have some more suggestions.
 
Chris E

Chris E

Member
salt water is a killer - you have no choice but to get midevil on this thing. first the steering cable is cooked. cut the thing off and be done with it - hacksaw works fine for that. next, loosen off the steering nut where the cable enters the tilt tube. then remove the steering arm to the motor. you could try penetrating oil, however, i think the tube is coroded to the shaft, and thererfore, you have to heat it, or failing that, replace the tube assembley completely.

sorry, i don't think you will have any choice but to get heavy handed with this thing.
 
Chris

Chris

Administrator
Staff member
Chris, when you pull the bolts I gather the tube is more or less free?

But don't you have to support the motor via a hoist or support somehow?

I've read about guys doing it by placing blocks under the skeg and such, but supposedly isn't the best way to support the motor with a hoist or cherry picker?
 
P

packratt

New Member
Thanks, I figured I'd be replacing tube and cable. I'll probably get a stainless tube if possible.

Any recomendations on where to get the parts other than the Mercury or Basstracker dealer?

Now to literally go dig out the cherry picker. Been using the loader on the tractor for the last few years.
 
Chris

Chris

Administrator
Staff member
Let me ask Randy "Wildman" Corson if he can set you up.

He's one of our vendors.

I'll send him a PM. :)
 
P

packratt

New Member
Thanks, I'll pop wildman an e-mail.

Got the tube and cable out by cutting cable on either side of tube and driving a 7/8" dowel through pushing the tube out.
 
Chris E

Chris E

Member
isn't saltwater stuff fun?

it still amazes me as to what corrosion can do to aluminum

hopefully the rest of the repair is goes smoothly
 
B

benski

New Member
You may want to take the motor completely off of the boat. This way you will have only the weight of the clamp binding the tilt tube. Wood blocks, dead blow hammers, judicious applicaton of heat and a 5-gallon bucket of patience should get you there. Be sure not to distort the tube too much if you can at all avoid it.Good luck, I don't envy that job.
 
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