with the few warmer days weve had i started to get the boat ready for the water. while doing this i noticed the steering was really tight. what i found was the shaft that goes through the tilt tube the steering cable connects too is sticking(see pic). anyone know first of all how to remove the cable from the shaft that slides through the tilt tube? second, anyone have any ideas how to free up the shaft that slides through the tilt tube?

thanks

Aint been lubricating that sucker have we; there are a couple guys around here who will help, I aint don one in years.  

Whatever lube is left in there has probably turned into paste.  The best way to do that, at least so you can do a thorough job, is to undo the steering cables from the other side of the motor, rent an engine hoist and lift the motor off the transom.  Once the steering cables are out of the pass through on the motor you can get in there and clean the gunk out.  

ya i just dont know enough about the system to mess with it. i see no other way to even drive the cable out without removing the motor. its going to the shop where they get to fix all the scratches that a person like me would put in the boat working on it.

To remove the cable you have to loosen the tilt tube nuts and pull the shaft out the cable entrance side. Some boats don't have enough room in the splashwell to remove the shaft and would require hoisting the motor. I had the same problem with the boat I purchased. The only thing is you will probably find that the cable is needing lubricating and your system will be a sealed cable inside tubing. A mechanic is simply going to recommend replacement of both cables. I rigged a device to force lubricant into the cable with air pressure. It worked fine but replacing the cables is the ultimate solution. If you're interested in trying what I used PM me. I'll try and take photos of my contraption. (about $14.00 bucks of parts and you'll need access to an air compressor capable of 80psi)

To remove the cable you have to loosen the tilt tube nuts and pull the shaft out the cable entrance side. Some boats don't have enough room in the splashwell to remove the shaft and would require hoisting the motor. I had the same problem with the boat I purchased. The only thing is you will probably find that the cable is needing lubricating and your system will be a sealed cable inside tubing. A mechanic is simply going to recommend replacement of both cables. I rigged a device to force lubricant into the cable with air pressure. It worked fine but replacing the cables is the ultimate solution. If you're interested in trying what I used PM me. I'll try and take photos of my contraption. (about $14.00 bucks of parts and you'll need access to an air compressor capable of 80psi)

thats the problem, theres no room in the splash.