The DHD method:
1. Leave tilt tube in motor and leave motor on boat.
2. Remove (neglected) grease nipples and squirt some plus-gas (penetrating oil) in through the holes. Leave it do its stuff overnight.
3. Disconnect the steering drag link arm.
4. Put a steel bar into the hole in the end of the steering rod and try to twist the rod in the tilt tube to free it off.
5. Get someone to apply a bit of pressure on the helm (to port)
6. Big hammer time
- tap the end of the steering rod into the tilt tube.
7. If/when it starts to move, try twisting it again to free it off. Reverse pressure on helm to starboard and use same hammer to tap the steel bar in the end of the steering rod to move it in the opposite direction.
8. Repeat steps 4-7 until the rod starts to free off and move relatively easily.
9. Once the rod passes the point of no return in the tilt tube, big hammer is your friend.
Undo the nut on the steering cable and use a long drift inside the tilt tube. Your pal on the helm can put the kettle on at this point as his role has now become redundant.
10. If unsuccesful, buy a new tilt tube - not as expensive as you may have first thought.
