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Frozen or Stiff Steering? How to clean an outboard steering tube
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<blockquote data-quote="thill" data-source="post: 511940" data-attributes="member: 4972"><p>Amen. You understand!</p><p></p><p>Typically, the only way to get those frozen ones out is to really heat the tube with a torch, spray the ends with WD40, heat some more, spray, and hope it budges. I always put a bolt through the hole in the end for strength and use a brass hammer to start with. </p><p></p><p>As you say, it's about 50/50 whether you can save it, depending on how long it's been sitting. Near saltwater, it's less. </p><p></p><p>If you can get one of those nasty ones out, it's a victory! After that, the only reliable option is to drill the rust out of the tube.</p><p></p><p>I've never tried a hole saw, but I guess that would work. I use a 5/8" x 16" Irwin twist bit with 100% success, if I can get the rod out of the tube. Once the rust is gone, and the inside of the tube is clean and shiny, the big thing is to really grease the inside of the tube heavily, not leaving any dry spots that will rust again. Clean/grease the rod and put it back together. </p><p></p><p>Those grease nuts seem to help once it's done, especially the metal ones with the grease fitting, IF they get greased regularly. The plastic ones are false confidence boosters, in my opinion.</p><p></p><p>Cleaning/greasing them once a year in the spring is a good idea. At least keep an eye on it. </p><p></p><p>If your steering starts to get tight, remove, clean and re-grease as soon as you notice, because once the rust starts, its only a matter of time before it locks up, and that gets expensive.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="thill, post: 511940, member: 4972"] Amen. You understand! Typically, the only way to get those frozen ones out is to really heat the tube with a torch, spray the ends with WD40, heat some more, spray, and hope it budges. I always put a bolt through the hole in the end for strength and use a brass hammer to start with. As you say, it's about 50/50 whether you can save it, depending on how long it's been sitting. Near saltwater, it's less. If you can get one of those nasty ones out, it's a victory! After that, the only reliable option is to drill the rust out of the tube. I've never tried a hole saw, but I guess that would work. I use a 5/8" x 16" Irwin twist bit with 100% success, if I can get the rod out of the tube. Once the rust is gone, and the inside of the tube is clean and shiny, the big thing is to really grease the inside of the tube heavily, not leaving any dry spots that will rust again. Clean/grease the rod and put it back together. Those grease nuts seem to help once it's done, especially the metal ones with the grease fitting, IF they get greased regularly. The plastic ones are false confidence boosters, in my opinion. Cleaning/greasing them once a year in the spring is a good idea. At least keep an eye on it. If your steering starts to get tight, remove, clean and re-grease as soon as you notice, because once the rust starts, its only a matter of time before it locks up, and that gets expensive. [/QUOTE]
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Frozen or Stiff Steering? How to clean an outboard steering tube
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