Hard Steering on a 1978 f/s Cajun Mach IV 17 with a 77 115hp Merc in line

I have very hard steering on this boat - I've disconnected the motor from the hydraulic steering linkage and the motor moves freely.

The problem is in the hydraulics from the steering wheel to the motor. Can anyone tell me what my options are? Can I get used parts? Can these units be rebuilt or replaced?

I'm a brand new member of this forum.

Thanks

Bob

Hey Bob, Welcome aboard.

I would be surprised if you have Hyd. Steer on a '77, 115 Merc. (but what do I know).

If it is the normal factory cable steer from Tel-Flex, then Yes, it can be repaired or re-placed.

One place to order parts/systems is here:

https://www.surplusunlimited.c...=2200

If it is in fact cable steer I would imagine that that can be repaired also.

I have a 77' and the steering is hard until I get on plain. My motor is an 85' Johnson 135. I always thought it was suppose to be that way.. Are you saying it's not? Just wondering... Oh yeah, i am a new member of this forum as well...

Hey Adam, welcome aboard.

Question. Is your 135 single or dual cable steer.

When I got my boat it steered like an old opened gear John Deere. It took two hands to turn the thing. I took the cables out and had to use a vise-grip to move them back and forth in their sleeve so I ordered a new system. I put in the Tel flex NFB system and wow, what a difference.
That was 5 years ago and it is now starting to steer hard again. What happens is that water gets in the sleeve and rusts the cable. Rust makes a really poor lubricant and a rusted cable is dangerous. What you never want to experience is a broken cable at WOT. Had that happen on an 85 once and gotta tell you things get REAL hairy in an instant.

Reason for the question. If yours is a single cable, replace it. Dual cable is less dangerous because if one breaks you can still steer with the other to keep control til you get to the ramp.

Happy boating, DJ

I have a 85 115hp same trouble. I found a quick shot of WD40 on the steering pistons when the are fully out helps. The more i use mine the easyer the steering gets.