Stiff steering at low speed

Neil Smart. · 22 March 2011, 20:32

hello all

i have a thundercat and the steering on my outboard is so stiff at low speed is there anythink simple i can do. its a Yamaha 50 hp 2001?

many thanks

Neil

uncle al · 22 March 2011, 21:01

friction screw worked its way in, penetrating oil and work side to side, re-adjust the trim tab

Neil Smart. · 23 March 2011, 21:07

hi thank you for the reply but i am very new to outboards its a tiller hydrophilic steering. by adjusting the trim tab do you mean from left to right?

jyasaki · 23 March 2011, 22:48

Trim tab won't do much at low speed. At high speed it's supposed to counteract prop torque.

Is the motor hard to turn when not moving at all?

jky

Neil Smart. · 24 March 2011, 06:57

ya its still stiff when not moving

jyasaki · 24 March 2011, 10:11

Sounds like the grease in the steering tube has hardened up. You *might* be able to free it up by pumping in a bunch of grease and working it around a bunch. Heating it up a bit may help as well (be careful not to melt plastic and rubber parts.) Otherwise, you may need to tear it down and clean it up and regrease as necessary (or pay to have someone else do it.)

Don't know what else it could be.

jky

Neil Smart. · 24 March 2011, 13:14

Ok thanks I'll try that. Is there any type of grease I should use????

Thanks again.

jyasaki · 24 March 2011, 17:41

General purpose marine grease should do fine.

jky

Neil Smart. · 27 March 2011, 19:03

Thank you guys.

I'm sure I will on this alot more lol.

Vandad · 28 March 2011, 23:48

Watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ1ai...eature=related

Almost everything that this guys is greasing will have impact on your steering.

Depending on the value of your package and how often you use it, you may instead invest in hydrolic steering. I bought mine when I went to America for a conference from Teleflex exactly half price compared to price in the UK. You may find the same product from US ebay sellers on Ebay.com and they ship to the UK as well.

chewy · 29 March 2011, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vandad

Watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ1ai...eature=related

Almost everything that this guys is greasing will have impact on your steering.

Depending on the value of your package and how often you use it, you may instead invest in hydrolic steering. I bought mine when I went to America for a conference from Teleflex exactly half price compared to price in the UK. You may find the same product from US ebay sellers on Ebay.com and they ship to the UK as well.

Hydraulic steering on a Thundercat, now theres a thought!