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I looked at a Mercury 60hp like mine on a rack, at the dealer, and the engine pivoted easily on the main axes shaft. When I disconnected my steering link and move my engine it was considerably harder to turn than the new engine. I could turn the new engine with one finger and my engine needs a whole hand and some weight applied.

I purchased the Steersman nut for the cable, an I am happy with it, but with the steering link disconnected the cable has nothing to do with the main shaft.

What should my next move be?

Bad Service Experience Rant:
I made an appointment to have my steering checked and engine serviced. Well the dealer absolutely refused to check my steering after he said he would. He said I would have to make an appointment to have it checked separately but he was booked out a few months, and said he would need the boat for 2-3 weeks. He said warranty would probably cover it. I tried to make another appointment but his comment was "any authorized Mercury service center could do the work." He absolutely did not want the work. Boyd's Marine, Dothan, AL. They are the only Mercury service center for 60 miles. They had quoted me $500 plus for the appointment on the phone but only charged me $225 so I know they did not do everything we talked about. They would not change my water-pump either saying the pressure was good. Then they put down 883 hours for the engine instead of 88.3 hours the engine has. I asked them to correct that and he said the ticket was closed and he could not change it, but he did scratch it out and write the correct hours on the sheet.