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Steering link rods
Sax416	#1  Posted on 06/15/11 - 9:33 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 118 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/15/11	I'm having a heck of a time figuring out where to buy a steering link rod for my 88 35hp force engine. I am switching from the transom standoff bracket to directly mounting the teleflex cable through the tilt tube. Now I need to find a link rod. I figured it would be easy but... From pictures on eBay and such there doesn't seem to be much difference between a johnson bracket or a force bracket. They all seem to be 12" and have the same basic flat end with a hole and a right angle threaded end. Does anyone know if these rods are basically universal? I didn't think getting one of these rods would be difficult. Kind of thought I could just walk into the local marine supply warehouse and buy it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Tom W Clark	#2  Posted on 06/15/11 - 9:46 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	The steering link is typically supplied by the outboard manufacturer, not the steering manufacturer. Because FORCE outboards have not been made in years, it would not surprise me that you are having difficulty in finding this part. However, a simple GOOGLE search for force, outboard, steering and link produces a number of sources for old Force steering links.
Sax416	#3  Posted on 06/15/11 - 10:47 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 118 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/15/11	I googled it earlier but can't find an exact listing. In other words I found some out there but I have no way of knowing if the part will fit my 88 35hp. Some of the .coms have no listing at all. I may have to take a shot at one that lists as SLA-960f. It says it fits Chrysler force engines up to 140 hp. Not even sure if this thing is a Chrysler or a merc. Oh well, should have taken out another loan and bought a new engine. Thanks.
Phil T	#4  Posted on 06/15/11 - 1:38 PM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 7043 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	While searching online is an option, consider visiting a Mercury authorized dealer. I am sure their parts manager can look it up and order you one. 1992 Outrage 17 I 2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+ 2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
Tom W Clark	#5  Posted on 06/15/11 - 2:36 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	Mercury part # F5H141 $56 from this source: http://www.boats.net/parts/detail/mer...5H141.html
Sax416	#6  Posted on 06/15/11 - 6:13 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 118 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/15/11	Thanks Tom. I'll give them a call tomorrow To verify. I had contacted an outboard grave yard this afternoon and they are suppose to call me if they have one for a force in the yard. Not to hopeful on that so I'll likely be ordering from boats.net. Much appreciated.
Sax416	#7  Posted on 07/14/11 - 5:06 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 118 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/15/11	Boats.net could get the part but Merc had it on backorder for 3 weeks so I took that part number and ordered a used one off eBay and it worked out. Thanks for the direction Tom.