Sticky Steering on Merc 90

Has anyone had the problem with a sticky steering wheel on their outboards? It seems that when your cruising along the wheel will stick, then once it’s moving (the wheel) there isn’t a problem. Also, when the boats out of the water or just putting along, it works fine.
I’ve taken the steering arm off the motor and cleaned all the old grease off and relubed it. It works fine for a couple of outings, then it’s back to sticking again.
I spoke with a dealer last year and he really didn’t have an answer for me beside what I’ve already done. Maybe I’m using the wrong grease? I’ve used a grade 3 multi use grease and a marine and trailer grease without any differance.
Suggestions?

Hi Brian, I had the same problem a few years back! The problem was that the cable inside the casing had broken a wire, there for the steering wheel would stick !! Had to replace the whole steering assembly. $$$$$ Hope this isn’t your problem! Good Luck !!

Richard (Smitty)

Keep a tight line !!!

I hope I don’t have the same problem either! It’s a 2001, for pete’s sake!
What did it cost? Did you do it yourself?

Thanks for a nother area to look at.

I was lucky enough that it was still under warranty, but I had to call the maufacturer before the dealer would do anything about it. If I had to pay out of pocket it would have cost about $400.00, real labor intense. Check out the dealer you bought your boat from they may have a recall on such a problem ?????? Good Luck !!

Richard (Smitty)

Keep a tight line !!!

Hi Brian

I solved the sticky steering problem on my boat by shooting grease into the applicable fittings on the motor and then liberally wiping lube on the steering arms (gear lube or heavy motor oil will work) then turning the steering lock-to-lock, cleaning the arms and re-lubing them. Just greasing didn’t work for me, but lubing the arms did the trick.

Good luck.

Dan

Thanks Dan,

I’ve done that and I get a couple of outings, then it does the same again.
I don’t think it’s a broken wire in the steering either, because, I can get it to work great….but only for a while.

I tried to call Merc today, but it’s Good Friday.

I had a similar problem and could fix it temporarily by soaking the steering arms with WD-40. My cables would still stick after a couple of times out on the water, but they were really old. I had them replaced over the winter for several hundred dollars and haven’t had a problem yet.

If the cables are sticking, you can disconnect and squirt lithium grease into the tube until it comes out the other end. I’ve done this with speedometer cables before when they started making noise.

I would think the steering cables would take a whole lot more grease though, and if you already had them off at both ends, I’m not sure how much more a replacement would run you.

Sounds to me like your rack is hanging up. Check the back of the steering wheel for any sign of looseness. If the pinion gear is loose it can get out of time under load. One tooth can get stuck basically trying to climb on to a high point rather than meshing smoothly in the bottom. If a jerk of your wheel relieves the binding and you have no trouble with the wheel on the trailer. The problem is in the rack. If nothing appears loose you probably have a defective rack. If the dealer won’t change it for free, then I’d find a new dealer, and change it yourself. Changing a steering wheel is not that big of deal. You need to remove the wheel from the drive mech (you may need a gear puller for this then remove the 4 bolts that hold the drive mech in. Remove the hardware on the motor end and pull the cables. Trick it to pull a rope when your pulling out your old cables. Then you can pull the new ones through with the rope. Took me and my partner less than a half hour on his Stratus. And we were telling stories…

Thanks Jedsall! That certainly sounds like it fits the bill. I’ll let you know in the morning if I can sneek out there before all the going ons for Easter.

Thanks for everyones help

Checked the steering wheel and cables and couldn’t find anything. So I pulled the cable out of the motor again. And again didn’t see anything wrong with it. After I cleaned out the grease from the tube that the cable slides through, I notice some ruff spots. Then I notice the O ring on the outside edge of the tube was partially missing. The ruff spots were rust or corrosion build up. Now the issue is getting it out of there.

Thought you all that replied would like to know.

Brian