HELP! Steering issue - very hard to turn steering wheel on my 180V

[yaajer]

Hey guys, I need your help. I just bought a 1990 180V that is in pretty good shape despite it's age. Everything checks out, compression 120 on all cylinders, no soft spots, hull looks nice, etc..

The only problem is the steering is hard as heck! to turn. Turning the steering wheel is like trying to get the lid off an old mason jar. I've greased up the two steering cables that connect to the outboard, but that hasn't helped. I though there might be a grease hole up front under the steering wheel to use a grease gun to fill up, but I can't find one.

Any help or suggestions please?

Thanks!

[yaajer]

Is it best guys just to replace it with a teleflex dual cable steering unit? Looks like searching online, the cables made by detroit marine engineering is no longer being made.

Also, is my steering unit rack/pinion or rotary? Behind the steering wheel, there are two horizontal bars for each of the steering cable back to the outboard if this helps..thanks again!

**Nevermind, found my answers. Here's info for anyone else in my situation. These boats are rack-n-pinion. They need the No Feed Back dual cable from teleflex and 12ft cables. Also, the helm needs to be replaced as well when doing the change.**


Modified by yaajer at 6:14 AM 3/22/2010

[TOUCH OF CLASS]

Your best bet is to get new.If you can afford it get hydraulic,it makes a world of difference driving.

[yaajer]

I would go with hydraulic, but it's an old boat just to get me by this summer before upgrading to something newer. Just in case anyone is interested, the part number needed for the replacement is SS15212. This unit from Teleflex includes the helm and bezzle with the dual cables, kinda like an upgrade kit.

[Ted Martin]

i've heard so many guys say right before they popped their cable that the steering was getting REAL hard to turn ... so i would get teh cables on order or go hydraulic