Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Steering control unit
Posted by Weasel1USA on 03/16/14 - 1:48 PM
#1
I have a 1991 Outrage 19. Today my wife and I took her out for a fishing trip for our second outing with the boat. The first outing went fine except for the stiff steering. When we got home I lubed everything I could find a zerk fitting for. Today, when the boat left the trailer when launching, the steering clunked, stuck, then the wheel just spun around. Needless to say, we were disappointed that our trip ended early. I just took the "Safe-T" control box out and whallla! the gear is toast. It is the dual steering box but I only have one powerplant, a Mercury 2 stroke 150 Black Max. Can someone (TOM?) help me out with the proper control box for the boat. I think it's the SH5294 but if I don't have to replace it with a dual, what part number is correct for the boat? Thanks in advance, Rick
Posted by Joe Kriz on 03/16/14 - 2:55 PM
#2
Great then.
I am certainly not going to tell you to use single or dual.
That would be entirely up to you and your common sense and judgement.
Many Outrages with V6 150hp had dual cable steering back in those days.
Obviously things have changed.
Here is the Single or the Dual application from Teleflex.
http://www.seastarsolutions.com/produ...-steering/
(edit: fixed link)
I would recommend changing the entire system including the cable(s) as everything would be new.
Edited by Joe Kriz on 03/17/14 - 1:46 PM
Posted by Tom W Clark on 03/16/14 - 6:12 PM
#3
Somebody around here was going to offer up their perfectly good dual cable Teleflex steering system for the price of shipping, if I recall correctly...
Posted by huckelberry145 on 03/16/14 - 6:25 PM
#4
It is me. I have a single helm Teleflex control that you can have.
Posted by Weasel1USA on 03/17/14 - 12:33 PM
#5
To all that responded, thank you. Per Joe's recommendation, I ordered a Teleflex part number SS14717 17 Foot 4.2 Turns New and complete set and at a reasonable price. Again, Thanks all.....
Posted by Weasel1USA on 04/02/14 - 11:29 AM
#7
Yep Joe, got it at a really good price, less than you estimated by $10.00 including shipping. Installed the helm and cable and still had trouble with stiffness. I took the cable off, cleaned out the sleeve, greased it and STILL had stiffness. I took the cable off again and tried to grease the sleeve with a grease gun and found that the grease isn't getting into the sleeve. In addition, the upper bushing on the steering pivot pin wasn't getting grease either. The boat is now in the shop getting the power head removed and the entire engine attachment clamp assembly, including the lift and trim cylinders replaced by a "previously used" part. The lift cylinder seal was leaking between the lift and trim cylinder so bad I couldn't keep fluid in it. I should have the boat back within a week and a couple thousand bucks......it's just money......grrrrrrrrr
Posted by gchuba on 04/02/14 - 11:41 AM
#8
Does your steering cable have a lot of sharp turns? The stiffness might be that the cable is a little short and you do not have a "sweeping" curves to the motor or from the steering box. Also, I do not try to grease the interior of the cable but spray it with "Tri-Flow with Teflon". The spray leaves traces of lubricant that helps with the friction without the mess of grease.
gchuba
Edited by gchuba on 04/02/14 - 11:48 AM
Posted by mtown on 04/02/14 - 3:18 PM
#9
X2 on the tight turns. Also disconnect the cable from the motor and see if you can pivot the motor easily by hand without the cable attached. If you search my posts I addressed this situation after many frustrated experiences and $$ and resolved the problems on my 16'. Feel free to e-mail me if you want and I will give my phone # to discuss at length.
Posted by Joe Kriz on 04/02/14 - 4:09 PM
#10
mtown wrote:
Feel free to e-mail me if you want and I will give my phone # to discuss at length.
All discussions should take place here so everyone can learn.
Otherwise, why should we have this site?
Posted by gchuba on 04/03/14 - 6:57 AM
#11
I looked above and realized I misread your issues with the grease (my mush of a mind read "cable" not "sleeve"). Sometimes the zerk fittings, when not greased, become useless. The old grease hardens in the fitting like glue. Try replacing the fittings. Once the old fitting is removed look into the hole. The old grease sometimes form a barrier that you can ream out with some wire. If the zerks are in that bad of a condition, you may want to tear down the sleeve for a good cleaning. That may be the issue right there. As you put it back together, grease the pieces with your finger.
gchuba
Edited by gchuba on 04/03/14 - 7:02 AM
Posted by Silentpardner on 04/03/14 - 8:13 AM
#12
Hey, did y'all see post #7 from Weasel1? I think he figured out already what was wrong and how he was going to fix it...:)
I think he has taken the best route for this repair myself, as clearly, there was damage from the lack of lubrication for a LONG time.
Edited by Silentpardner on 04/03/14 - 8:16 AM
Posted by Weasel1USA on 04/28/14 - 7:45 AM
#13
I ended up having to replace the entire center section (used and cheaper) from the power head to the lower unit, the helm steering box and the cable. Now the boat steers like a dream, two fingers and no leaks from the lift cylinder. Happy days ahead!!! Thanks all for your input.