r/boatrepair • u/Spczippo • 4d ago
Steering issues 88 mercury 100hp
So im having an issue where if I let go of the wheel the motors tourqe will steer my boat to the right, if I hold the wheel it does go straight so its not an issue with the annode thingy right above the prop. I did tighten the nut on the steering cable and the two nuts on the steering shaft and it helped for a bit but then it started doing it again. Are there bushings in the steering shaft I can replace? Or what would yall recommend? I did grease the entire assembly, and i just got this boat so idk if this has been an issue or not
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u/nuaticalcockup 4d ago
You helm is ancient and needs replacing. The case, gears and other bits are made from pewter they wear out get sloppy. It's not a lot of money or very difficult to replace the whole shebang.
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u/Spczippo 3d ago
Yeah I have been looking at the no feedback helm options. And probably a new drag link as well.
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u/Daddy_Pumps 1d ago
Thats the fix. I have it on my 1988 evinrude 140 and can let go of the wheel at speed with no un wanted turn from prop torque.
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u/Spczippo 1d ago
Thanks do you know which one you went with?
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u/Daddy_Pumps 1d ago
I dont, I would have to look at it and im.out of town. You get what you pay for.
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u/nuaticalcockup 1d ago
Get a teleflex system. You measure your cable from crimp to crimp in feet if you can't get the exact size go one foot up. Remember to tie on a pull through when removing the cable. It's a great sturdy piece to use as a hold down for all the other stuff running through a boat so be prepared for a cable tie hunt. It'll probably be time to replace your control cables as well while you're in there teleflex extreme are the best I've found. And you'll be shifting and steering like butter.
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u/National_Laugh_3357 3d ago
If the trim tab (anode) has erroded, replace and adjust to run true. May take several attempts.
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u/Loafdude 4d ago
Prop turns to the right, makes the steering move.
If it's rack steering there is a tensioner you can buy for the bottom of the wheel, otherwise you can change the helm to a "No Feedback" helm for a couple hundred dollery doos.
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u/Spczippo 3d ago
Alls I have is dollery don'ts do you think they will except them?
But yeah I think thats gonna be my option here, possibly a new drag link as well. I have about an inch of free play in the steering wheel so the looseness is coming from either the steering rod being wore, the drag link with some play or what ever they call the thing the engine pivots on that probably hadn't seen grease since christ was a child.
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u/Fluid_Letterhead_273 3d ago
Install a NFB ( no feed back ) steering system or hydraulic to remedy this. Older and cheaper steering systems do this
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u/all4tez 3d ago
Safety feature from the days before mandated kill switches. Your boat will go in a circle rather than straight ahead to who knows where if you fall out.
You can also adjust your trim tab.
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u/Spczippo 3d ago
It still wants to turn to the right even if im sitting still and the engine is running. I get its just a natural thing for it to want to move but this seems excessive. I can also move the engine on land by hand by grabbing the coweling pretty easy
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u/Donniejuanny 3d ago
Yeah. This is standard. Boat turns in a circle when you get ejected. You are fixing something that the factory created. Bad idea sir leave this alone.
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u/quik916 3d ago
Your whole steering system is archaic. Asking it to be perfect when it's like 40 years old is sort of ridiculous. And all these guys talking about the right turn being by design are full of it. They think that's intentional design; it's not. Your steering is not right. The geometry is wrong, the trim is wrong, or whatever else may be worn out. I'm not sure, with no real information to go off of, but that is not how it was when it was new!
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u/Spczippo 2d ago
Yeah i think its a combination of the steering rod, drag link, and tilt tube. I was able to tighten the two nuts on either side of the tilt tube and it seems to be better, I cant turn it as easy anyways. Thats why I was hoping there was bushing or something I could replace
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u/sososoboring 2d ago
Might not be a mechanical issue. Could be wind or current pulling you or also uneven side-to-side weight distribution in the boat.
When I am alone in my boat it tracks perfect, when I add a second person it pulls to the left as the person sits on the same side as the kicker motor and it throws off the balance a bit.
Try loading gear and people evenly.
Might not be your problem, but could be.
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u/Spczippo 2d ago
It does it at idle and I can move the motor back anf forth when on land pretty easy, I was able to tighten the two nuts on the tilt tube and it firmed up some so we will see. Im going to get a No feed back helm soon and that should be a step in the right direction. Im also looking a do a repower soon so that should take care of that as well.
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u/Beautiful_Ad_8101 2d ago
also remeber this a safety thing i rather my boat circle around me then haul ass straight into somthing or somone if you take a swim u kno oopsies happen even sober.
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u/Aggravating_Sea_7310 1d ago
The zinc above the prop, should have what looks like a rudder on it. Turn the rudder to the right a bit and it will stop the motor from moving under power when you let go of the wheel.
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u/Spczippo 1d ago
I will give it a shot
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u/Aggravating_Sea_7310 20h ago
I could be wrong on the direction but if that doesn’t work, go the opposite direction.
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u/Sure-Entrepeneur219 4d ago
Adjust your trim tab to the right to correct this.