Has frozen a few times and locked up on a trip last night and driver broke it free but now it skips. Guess it broke a tooth or cable went bad. I have the rack type helm. Is this a hard problem to fix? Anything to look out for? Not sure what the costs are yet? The steering arm at the motor is where it would freeze and where I would have to break it free before. 17’ Key west cc
sounds like you broke a tooth off. thats not that difficult to fix. replacing the steering cable is not hard, just time consuming. I had similar problems with my 18bay. every few months ill turn the motor all the way out, spray the steering rod with wd40 and turn the motor back in then back out. clean off the junk and spray with wd40. repeat this step till the rod is clean. fill it up with lube and go from there. every time mine starts to stiffen up i do this (takes about an hour) now i can turn my 130 honda with only my index finger on the edison knob.
“The amount of money I’ll be makin would hurt your parents feelings. Remember the class where I taught you all how to make it rain? That’s what I’ll be doin every night, dollar…dollar…bills y’all.”
A 12 ga bronze shotgun bore cleaner works great for cleaning out the inside of the steering tube good before installing the new cable/steering rod.
Russ B.
God is great, Beer is good, People are crazy
you definately broke a tooth in the helm you will need to go get a new one and get a new cable while you are at it (about $160 if I remember correctly). Mine broke about 4 miles out a few months ago and replaced helm and cable. When you buy a new one, a new steering tube comes with it, pre-greased. I had to do some console mods to fit the new helm but still only took me 3 hours. If you don’t have to relocate holes in console and if you have all the right tools it should take you an hour or less. If you need a step by step let me know…it is still fresh in my mind
Mike
“Seahawk” 204CC Angler, 150 Merc
If it’s a 1720 model KW with a Yam90, you have to remove the motor to get the steering rod/cable out of the tube on the motor. There is not enough clearance between the battery box and the livewell to remove it in place.
I have a 1720CC and have the same issue with the grease drying up each winter after prolonged non-use. Here’s what I do: remove the cap and get the steering rod exposed as far out of the tube as possible. Use a grease gun and pump as much lithium grease in there as you can. Put it back together and work the steering back and forth. Repeat until it is as full as you can get it.
But since you already broke it, replace the helm and cable. But you’re gonna have to take the motor off the transom to get the rod lined up and re-inserted.
KeyWest 1720cc 90 Ymha