Tilt TubeProblems

[JohnCFI]

Have tried to change the steering setup.

Replaced the steering cable with a longer one and fed it through the motors tilt tube. problem is the steering is very jerky and I can only get about one turn on the wheel. Drag arm is not yet connected, but I did have some trouble getting the fitting through the tilt tube. it was all free and easy till I put it in the tilt tube.

Any suggestions for a fix, please....

[NiceAft]

Have you tried searching through the Mods section to find the same project as yours. If you find it, you can then try to contact the author of that mod for some assistance.

Ray

[Ormonddude]

That is the wrong configuration for a it should look like this.

Note: the alignment your steering rod goes to the mac tube to the central pivot of the rudder linkage and the engine is a slave to that. make sure when the steering rod is half out it is in the center of the gelcoat smooth spot of the cockpit self bailing channel under the seat.

[JohnCFI]

Mine is a bit different. on your picture my cable would come out from about where that bungee hook is on the left of your photo. I wanted to get rid of all that linkage, and so I got a slightly longer Teleflex cable and re-routed it to come out in line with the engines tilt tube (a bit aft of where yours is), and then direct into the tilt tube (like on most boats), with a simple drag link to each rudder.

My reasons:-
1, had an accident (close shave) someone tripped over that banana shaped bar and nearly went headfirst off the back, and
2, because I don't get a full turn on the motor or rudders, I seem to be limited to about 2/3 of the turn available on the motor/rudders with existing setup.

Someone suggested locally, that I need to get the steel rod moving freely (free-er) in the tilt tube, which I will try to do tomorrow....

My idea is based on a mod I saw on here but cannot find now.

[Ormonddude]

If you increase the engine travel the Prop can hit your rudders its made like this for a reason, now the have a different thing going on its all internal if you change the steering be careful and yes it sounds like you have the wrong steel arm on it. I will say this someone tried it on the facebook group and used my example to correct it because if you buy a with the steering apart (frozen cables are common and other ailments) it seems like the logical solution. However you could find problems. Now a question how the heck did they almost fall over it under power with the seat down? unless your modding that too? It just sounds like your curing a problem that never should have happened. Also there is a few mods showing how to make a swim platform to cover the linkages it might be better for you if this dont work out.

[JohnCFI]

We were not motoring, we were loading the boat before a trip, so the seat was up (we were still on the slipway) when the near miss happened! which is probably worse for injury, I don't want it to happen again, I tried a swim platform type mod and just don't like it.

Because of the restriction on travel of the arms, steering (esp. going aft) is not great.. I tried it with all the linkage disconnected (using a made up tiller) and by getting to full engine travel, I get much better steering ahead and astern, the rudders are well out of the way, the only thing that can touch up is the ladder, but that hits the prop as it is, and is always up when motoring anyway.

My mod, if I can get it to work properly, should look better, and eliminate what frankly looks like a scrap yard on the back of the boat. Obviously McGregor recognised it, if they changed it on the M.

[Ormonddude]

Well I can appreciate everything your saying and hope it works out. I look forward to seeing it. The only thing I can add is the steering cable has a grease containment tube in your helm make sure it didnt get bent at a hard angle during your install as that would limit your travel as well. I have clips on my cockpit lifelines and simply unclip and load over the side, because it is a bit busy back there.

[JohnCFI]

OK, I think all is sorted out now. I took it all apart and spent the afternoon polishing the inside of the tilt tube, I used a wire brush like a bottle cleaner and fixed it on my drill, I used grinding paste first, and then WD40, till I could get the tube in and out easily. It now runs smoothly from the wheel.

Now to measure up for, and make a drag link. Anyone got a photo of one for a Tohatsu 50D Outboard..

[JohnCFI]

This was where I got my idea from.

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... 62&start=0

(hope that works as a link)

Thanks to Don T

[K9Kampers]

From the Tohatsu Outboard website:

[JohnCFI]

Thanks....

[bastonjock]

john,ive seen macs with a cover over the linkage to stop it becoming a hazard and to also protect it,ive also changed my teleflex for a longer one,i stuck with the original route and its important that you dont have sharp turns in it.

[JohnCFI]

john,ive seen macs with a cover over the linkage to stop it becoming a hazard and to also protect it,ive also changed my teleflex for a longer one,i stuck with the original route and its important that you dont have sharp turns in it.

Thanks Jock. All sorted now, Just waiting for the machinist to bring my first draglink (Steering to engine), after that is sorted it will be the engine to rudder ones. The problem I had was muck inside the tilt tube, once that was cleaned and polished it was fine.

I tried a deck over the linkage, but didn't like it. so far this idea is looking good, I don't need to disconnect anything to sail and I can still tilt the engine. I will post some photos when its all done..