Has anyone used the Cable Buddy or similar system to add a lubrication point for your steering systems on your outboard?

The steering on mine has gotten very tight and there is no place to add lubrication the Teleflex rack and pinion system that came on the boat.

Seems the Cable Buddy looks like something that will do the job.  Looks like it would be easy to put on.  Just undue existing nut, disconnect cable, remove old nut, install new nut, reconnect, tighten and add lube.  

Just thought I'd check and see before I go installing one.

Brad

I've used them, they're supposed to be preventative maintenance but I've yet to see where they do much more that cause dust and dirt to accumulate on the steering rods when in storage or going down the road.  Many OB's already have a greasing system built into the steering cable pass through, I know mine does.  The end knut caps on those have bushings that are supposed to keep the grease in and the water out.  

As for your stiff steering, the problem probably lies in the cable itself.  Those cable lube deals only lube the last foot or so of the cable, you've got 11-12 feet more of cable inside the boat.  The problem is the factory grease they installed is stiffening and drying up.  I don't know how old your boat is but it sounds like it's new cable time.  If you've got a teleflex R & P system the cables are available on the web for around $80 - 100 a piece.  I have known guys to pull the engine and try and get lube into the cable systems.  It helped the stiffness only a little bit and was a stop gap measure at best.  He wound up changing them out a couple years later.  

Changing out cables is not that big of a job. I strongly suggest having a partner to help. I've pulled cables before by myself and it was a chore without a helper.  And yes, the engine will have to come off the boat.

I have pulled the cables out of the motor, mixed brake fluid and automatic transmission fluid (makes a pretty good penetrating oil) and kept working that into the motor end of the cable and freed them but that usually a lot of work and only a short term cure.   On most boats, to get the cables out of the motor, the motor has to come off.  I would guess its been six or seven years since cart7 bought cables.  I bought some for 13' five years ago for my Stratos and they were $110 each, bought some for a friends three years ago and they were $130 each so at that rate, they are probably $150 each (or more) now.  If you have dual cables, now would be a good time to look at adding hydrualic streering.  Depending on the boat, on some boats those cables can be a royal pain to change.  On my Stratos, the starboard fuel tank and to come out (two tank system), the motor had to come off and they were anchored up inside the gunwalls in areas you couldn't reach and had to rip the hangers out.

If the streeing is getting stiff. Its already to late for lubrication. Solve the problem fast and easy. Get new cables.