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Hello gents, Took the whaler out a few weeks ago and all was well. Come back a week later and the steering is frozen up. Common issue as I am now reading. Got it to move but very tight. I have lubed the steering rod regularly at the motor.
1.Mercury 90hp 4 stroke 2003
2.New teleflex cable and new tilt tube installed in 2012 by prior owner
3.Disassembled tilt tube components and steering rod. Cleaned and lubed. Everything looks new.
4. With cable disconnected from motor I am feeling some slight resistance when turning wherlmat helm . Not as easy as it was. How tight should steering be? Prior too if the wheel was not held it would spin freely motor also moved very easily on transom. Motor moves freely when disconnected from steering arm. Always lubed.
5. Went under the helm and greased cable coming out of helm unit under dash. Steering seems better but not as original. Not sure if it’s just from me working the wheel back and forth god knows how many times....
6. Steersman nut on order for future lubrication

What’s gives here? I thought for sure it would be a tilt tube issue but it seems it has to be something with the cable or helm unit. I can live with the tighter steering I guess but hard to believe this new cable would already be shot. Any ideas? Can the helm fail internally aside from the cable? Don’t want to replace if I don’t have too.

Thanks,
Chris

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When installing the Steersman lube nut, you first have to remove the original Mercury nut.
The Steersman replaces it. Also, before the steering ram is inserted, you also have to remove the Mercury O-ring inside the end of the tilt tube, so you can work grease back into the tube. The Steersman has it's own O-ring seal.

Your 1974 Montauk should have heavy duty Big-T steering if it is original. When running the boat, always trim the engine so steering pull (resistance) is equal in both directions.

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Thanks Finnegan. I found one of your older posts referencing this subject via a search. I did exactly this. Everything is dissassembled and waiting on the steersman to come in. Naturally the mercury seal in the tilt tube was long gone. Unfortunately, the steersman will not solve my issue but after becoming aware of the product it seems necessary for the future. Any other ideas why this system may have just tightened up so abruptly?

Thanks,
Chris

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If the steering cable is disconnected from the steering arm, how smooth does the wheel turn? If stiff, the cable needs grease. If smooth, check the engine. Give it a bear hug from astern and turn. If stifff, grease the mounts.

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With cable disconnected there is still some stiffness when turning wheel at helm. Motor is greased and moves freely on its own. Cable has been greased and regreased via the telescoping portion. The steering is just not as slick as it was. I guess it may be a good thing to a degree for boat tracking when trolling etc but something has changed and is not right so I’m really scratching my head here? I’ve done it all aside from throwing a new helm and cable in.

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Well at this point you have ruled out everything but the helm itself and the cable. From your comments you might prefer a "no feedback" system so now would be a good time to change over. Otherwise, replace the cable. If that fixes it, you're done! If not, replace the helm next.

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I think I am going to go for a new steering assembly and cable. Also noticed via the old work invoices from the prior owner, that the Teleflex cable installed is 15ft. Reading the articles on here it should have at least been a 17 to reduce the radius. It has a very sharp radius unlike the pictures I'm seeing of 17 and 18 foot cables? Just a thought.

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If you are buying a new steering setup, with the "side winged" console you have to be careful that the helm is high enough for the wheel to clear the side wings and with hand clearance. The original Big-T does, and so does the new hydraulic helm, but you have to be careful with the no-feedback designs.

You can see this situation on my Outrage 19 with the same console. I have the original chrome bezel Big-T.

http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/l...Dk=/?ref=1

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I had issues for years on my 16' with stiff steering. I replaced the helm and cable several times over 10+ years and cut away parts of the inner console and seat to get rid of sharp bends.

Finally, when I was doing major work and repower, I realized the console [non-whaler] was about 12" toward the stern than factory. This was causing a sharp bend to enter the tunnel.

Moved the console forward and it has been fine ever since. My guess is you nailed it with the cable length.
One way to check is pull the cable completely out so it is straight and see if it is still stiff.

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Easiest repair is to replace the cable. Even though yours prematurely failed it has failed and will never be like new again, they are not expensive, not like hydraulic. Re lubing the cable is near impossible and once you pull it out, why not just put a new one in. It is not much more to replace both helm and cable too, Just my thoughts.

Most stiff cables are due to hardening grease in the cable. I used Max Lube twice a year on my last boat and it is not grease but a oil and it will lube it up good on the tilt tube and keep it from freezing. Not sure how much makes it back down into the cable itself. but used it for 10 years on a new steering on my last whaler, 19 Lowpro with aniti feedback tilt cable steering it and it worked like new up until I sold it.

There Youtube videos one how to free a frozen steering cable by removed and running a solvent through it to free the cable. then run a lube thru it.

When you pull the old one out attach and pull a 5/50 cord or rope thru to pull the new cable back to the helm.

Good luck
Archie

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Thanks for the tips gents. Just installed a new cable and teleflex 4.2 NFB helm. Everything is as smooth as can be. Very happy with it. Steersman nut also installed on the tilt tube. I think the cause may have been premature cable wear due to the prior owners shop installing a 15 foot cable. Cable was only 5 years old. Helm was original. So it was worth the upgrade.

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Nice work! I think you're right, the sharp bend probably caused the cable to wear out prematurely. The NFB steering is a great upgrade - with the cable fixed, you'll enjoy it for many years.

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A Montauk should have a 17' or 18' steering cable.

See our article here:
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=70

Other Montauk rigging lengths for reference:
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=40

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UPDATE. 2 trips out so far with the new nfb 4.2 steering. Extememly happy with how it handles. Nice not having the wheel spinnng when grabbing a rod on the troll. Motor stays centered when trailering as well. System is very smooth and much preferred over my older big T system. Thanks for all the help gents!