2002 Mac26x Detmar stiff steering fix

[Kim Armstrong]

Can't take credit for this fix as I found it on the forum board, however it probably saved me at least $300.00 in new steering parts.

1. Disassemble rack and pinion steering.
2. Remove rack and cable from boat
3.. Dip rack and cable; rack gear at top of pipe into 8' to10' of ABS piping capped and glued at one end fill with your choice of motor oil. ( I used 10/30 )
4.Let soak 1week or longer oil will travel up cable. ( I let mine soak 2 weeks )

After this treatment the steering regained the original operational performance and I saved the cost of buying a new steering system.

In future I will perform this procedure every 2 to 3 years based on steering performance.

Oil is cheaper than parts

[Kevgrn114]

Thats interesting as heck! I wish I had read this before I replaced the steering on my powerboat.

[Catigale]

Love it! Here in new England you can use your neighbors motor oil from his/her last oil change and save even more money. If they have a land rover, just put a pan under it late at night and collect the drippings!

[bscott]

Thanks for the tip--I wonder if ATF might be better than engine oil--any thoughts?

Bob

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

i'm in same "steering stuck" situation w/ my '02 X. had already dreaded the purchase of new equipment and install.
i still have the challenge of entire removal and re-install.
so i guess i'll try this before i do anything else.
thanks for the idea.

Bob T.
"DāBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI (14" x 11 pitch)
Dinghy Motor: '06 2.5-Suzuki

[Kim Armstrong]

Thanks for the tip--I wonder if ATF might be better than engine oil--any thoughts?

Bob

I am sure that it would work just happened that I had lots of 10/30 on hand

Kim

[Kim Armstrong]

Lubricated steering cable this time using same procedure but instead of motor oil used WD-40 and got even better results.