Steering problem

Jake22

New Member
Aug 18, 2017
11
Boat Info
2000 215 EC
Brand new Atk engine installed 8/14/2017
Tandem axle ezloader, 2014 Gmc acadia
Engines
Atk 305 ,alpha
Good morning, First Post. “PLEASE HELP”
2000 sea ray 215 Express Cruiser. New engine installed August 2017 , 20 Hours on it.
Getting it ready for water, realized I cannot move steering wheel left or right.
Heard cable hitting side wall when I tried to turn it.
Sprayed piston at Transom with WD40.
No movement.
Tried moving out drive No luck.
Checked power steering fluid. Fine
Any help?
 
I just replaced our steering cable so I went through some of the same steps to isolate it. Which outdrive? (although all mercs should be the same I believe)

Reach behind the motor at the transom assembly and pull the clevis pin out where the stainless steering rod attaches to the transom assembly. That will release the connection between the cable and the drive and you can then try and turn the wheel to judge its resistance. I will tell you that when I did that I thought my cable was fine as it moved somewhat smoothly. That was until I felt a new cable, way different.
 
Great I will try that. Where did you purchase your new cable and how did you know which one?
 
I have the parts manual for our boat, you can probably grab yours over at the archives on searay.com as well. The manual gave me the length measurement, but then after doing some research I realized the other critical measurement is the rack, there are a bunch of different ones and they have varying bolt patterns.

I ordered it off amazon shipped from wholesale marine, only $122 for a 17' one. the job sucks, but we went from two hand steering effort to just needing a finger to turn the wheel.
 
Hi, Not sure boat is 17 years old. I don’t see a grease fitting prior to large nut. I was going to take out clevis pin on port side behind engine and see if Steering wheel moves at All.
I sprayed Wd40 all on the actuators, exposed cable, yokes, on Saturday.
Tried moving out drive left and right from outside stern while engine was running. No Movement. Just rocked the boat


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On May 14, 2018, at 10:29 AM, ClubSeaRay.com<Jim.maier@gmail.com> wrote:

Club Sea Ray

Jake22, Bt Doctur replied to a thread you are watching at Club Sea Ray.

Steering problem

When was the steering guide tube greased? thats the major cause of frozen steering . Loosen the big nut on the steering cable, if the wheel now moves freely the trouble is the guide tube.
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http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php
 
Hey Btdoctor, so you say I should loosen the large nut on thcable at the transum on the port side, and try to move steering wheel?
Also what about removing “Pin” at outdrive “yoke” would that also aloww me to move cable back and forth so I can grease it?
Thanks for your help
 
Here is a picture of my cable
 

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Read my thread first, Bt helped me there with a lot of the same info

http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?threads/twin-alpha-steering-tight.87182/

Below is the nut he means, you have to hold the other "nut" (it's the shaft with two flats on it) with a wrench or it'll turn. I'd suggest getting the service manual for your drive and transom. It's available over at the iboats forums
 

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If you loosen that nut completely and move the steering wheel and it moves freely ,the cable is good. The problem is the solid part of the cable ,the part with the pin thru it is frozen in the tube. To fix it you need some propane heat and a penetrating spray.
Heat well, lube well, reheat, attempt to move steering wheel,repeat as necessary.Once free , when cool grab a handful of grease, extend the rod, grip lightly, have someone move the wheel in and out, re-grease
The same thing happens with outboards , a lack of maintenance .Same procedure, heat well , add grease to the steering tube
 
Last edited:
Hello Guys!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU ALL. I got my steering cable Unfrozen!
I sprayed PB Blaster and tried working it back n forth, then started engine and it now Turns with 1finger!
Its Great knowing that there are people like you out there willing to help us Newbies!
Ty searay
 
Oh, I also sprayed lithium hrease all over pistons, actuators!!!!
 

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