Posted by pjred71 on 05/30/07 - 6:16 AM
#1
I have an 89 150 Yamaha. I am guessing it is the teleflex steering setup. It is very hard to turn the wheel. So much so that I actually hear creaking from behind the dash as I heave the wheel. I see where there is a fitting to apply lithium grease near the motor. I have not done so yet.
I am wondering if there are any other lube points or a way to clean the cable channels prior to lubrication. Can the steering assembly be taken apart and cleaned? Where do these tend to bind up? Behind the wheel, along the whole length or by the motor? I feel like I am approaching some of the steering issues I have seen detailed over the past few weeks on this site.
Posted by Joe Kriz on 05/30/07 - 9:47 AM
#2
PJ,
Generally the first part of the steering that seems to get stiff is the rod connector going through the engine tilt tube. If you disconnect the rod connector from the engine, see if the engine will turn freely. If the engine turns freely, then the engine pivot points are OK. Then try the steering. If the steering is stiff, then there is a build up of old, hard, dry grease in the tilt tube that is causing the problem.
Do you have single or dual cable steering?
Posted by pjred71 on 05/30/07 - 6:55 PM
#3
It looks like dual cable. There are two distinct cables traveling thru the rigging tunnel and connected to the motor. Only one has a grease fitting.
If the motor pivots ok with the steering disconnected, what steps should I take to lubricate and clean the cables? It seems like forcing more grease in there would be ineffective. Thanks for all of your advice.