Hi all!
After looking at a few boats and after a little reflection, I decided that it's probably not normal to have grease excreted from the steering assembly above the transom. What do people use to lubricate this bar that goes in and out of the casing directly above the transom. I see some that seem to have no grease at all. It squeezes out of the casing when the bar returns inside the casing(When the steering is turned to the left) and drips on the face of the transom inside the boat causing an untidy mess and a pain to clean(Fairy Liquid seems to be most effective so far!
Its very normal. All 5 of the boats I have dealt with over the past 15year all have done the same. Most have been Morse cable systems. Some steering systems have a screw cap with O ring to seal around the steering shaft, that you attach on the noncabled side at the shaft exit point. This can help keep the greese in and dirt out, however generally I think greese on the transom is expected. I just give it all a clean occasionally normally when I service that area.
Andy!
Many thanks for that! I will check to see if mine has a cap and O ring. If it does, I assume I can buy a new O ring if the current one is leaking??
Regards
Most Merc/Mar have an o seal inside the tilt tube which is designed to keep water etc out. Some people decide to grease the steering tube when its fully extended and on the first turn of the wheel the o seal wipes it off. Some newer cables have a greaser bult into the cable which does help getting grease into the tube. Failing that use some duck oil or good old WD40. But either way you are likely to get the odd streak down the transom.
Thanks Paul!
I think I might try WD40 as I get the feeling it won't be as messy.
Hightower!
I will have a look and see what would be most suitable as it would have to be soft/pliable enough to compress and expand as the bar moves in and out.
