steering

[special K]

I was getting the boat ready yesterday and my steering was locked up. Has this happened to anybody else? My dealer seemed as though it was fairly common, told me how to fix it temporarily but said unless I bring it in and have it totally cleaned it would happen again in about three weeks if the boat sits. I don't understand, I clean my boat every time I take it out?
Brian

[Genelie]

What boat do you have???? I have a 210 with a return steering linkage. The problem with that stlye, is that there is no ZERT fitting to keep it lubercated on the return shaft, and she will dry out, the O-ring on the end, does not work for DOO DOO on keeping the water out. THUS you have a stainless steel shaft with a ALUMINUM housing....good ol electrolis sets in and corrosion begins QUICKLY. This what I do. Take the shaft out, you will see a depression at the very end of shaft, FILL it up with marine lube. then coat the rest of the shaft and the houseing. reassemble. after each use on the water, extend the shaft all the way out, wipe clean, recoat, then completely retract, wipe off the excess. and your done. Then if you look at the manuel, it says to redo what I just said every 30 hours. But you can do it every season, if you do the last set of recoating the shaft after each trip out. I have not had a problem since.

[MolarBoater]

SpecialK, read thru the "Do I need Hydrolic steering" thread. If you have NoFeedback cable steering, I have found that adding the "CableBubby" grease fitting nut is your solution.

You will need to dissasemble the aluminum pipe/steerer tube and clean it out well, repack with waterproof grease and add the Cable Buddy. Your problem should be solved and it will steer incredibly smooth and easy....just keep it greased.