Steering is "notchy" on Merc 115, 19-6

[SaltH2OHokie]

Having had little to no experience with cable steer outboards, I'm confused on what needs to be lubed or replaced.  The motor will turn alright without resistance (ie on land) but in the water is tough to steer, and feels "notchy" or segmented.  On plane the wife can hardly steer it beyond small adjustments in course...but to make a hard turn would likely take a lot more strength than she "thinks" she can put into a turn.

Where should I start?

[fitz73222]

Engine trim angle and trim tab adjustment. Jump in guys, I'm in the car and can't do a lengthy post.

[Georgie]

Your description and situation sounds interesting...  Can you describe "notchy" a bit more?  The steering rod can often get very dry inside the steering tube, but then it usually moves only in short spurts (kinda like a fishing reel with a bad drag paying out line in short bursts) when under some sort of pressure.  Only thing is that this is usually more of an issue when the engine ISN'T running because the vibration of the engine helps a dry/sticking steering rod move through the tube.  If you wiggle the lower unit forward and backward when on the trailer and in the down position do you feel any slop in the mid-section pivot?  Can you inject some new grease into the fittings at the pivot to make sure the issue is not in the mid-housing?  Methinks the steering tube and the pivot tube are the only two joints in question if the problem does not present itself until you're on plane or otherwise running the boat in gear....that sorta rules out the steering cable or helm as potential problems.

[SaltH2OHokie]

Notchy much like you described it...like a sticky drag...turn-stop-turn-stop-turn-stop, etc. is how it steers when in the water.  In or out of the water the steering is stiffer than I assume it should be, but I have no real basis for comparison.  Steering doesn't require  "herculean" effort, just not what I'm used to.  290 has hydraulic, previous boat had hydraulic...

Just went and greased the vertical pivot tube (not sure of proper term) and went lock to lock a dozen times, then put a few more pumps.  No real improvement to speak of...still requires a fair amount of effort, but not really segmented at all.  It'll be a few days before I can stick it in the water again.

As for boat trim or trim tabs...boat is tabless, and playing with the motor's trim didn't do much to make the steering any smoother or even much easier.  Some boats I've run get downright squirrely when you trim em up too much...this one remains pretty well mannered all the way through the prop beginning to cavitate, so think I have something that's binding or not lubed like it should be rather than a running attitude problem.

[Georgie]

Ryan,

The standard way to isolate the issue is to make sure your engine is centered as if you were steering straight ahead and first 1) completely unscrew the nut that ties your steering cable to the engine at the starboard side of the tilt tube.  Try to turn your steering wheel clockwise...the steering nut should push towards starboard away from the tilt tube easily.  If it's still sticky or tight, then you have an issue with either your helm or cable.  Assuming no obvious issues after step one, you should second, 2) unbolt the stainless thrust rod that runs from the engine steering arm to the end of the stainless steering rod on the port side.  If, after unbolting and removing the stainless arm you can grab the lower unit or cowling and with a small amount of force the motor pivots freely and smoothly, then you likely have an issue in your steering tilt tube (which incidently is the most common steering issue to have).  Lastly, what does the exposed end of the steering rod look like when you're turned hard to to stbd?  Dry? Rusty? Greasy? Caked? Black? Wet? etc.?? should be clean and lightly greasy wet if all is good.

[SaltH2OHokie]

Thanks very much.  I'll run through those steps tomorrow and report back.  While we're at it...noticed that the stainless arm you referenced is bolted to the motor without any type of bushing that I can see     I'm assuming I'm missing one, correct?

[fitz73222]

There is a bushing inside the arm.