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Honda BF50 will not turn with steering wheel

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WhaleBait

New member
Hi,

I have a 1995 BF50 LRTA that I bought new and the dealer rigged it into a 1995 Boston Whaler Dauntless 15. I am doing some work where I needed to check clearance when the motor turned. I put the motor down into vertical use position but the steering wheel refuses to move beyond just the little bit of play it has. The boat has not been used in at least 5 years. I did not notice any reluctance in the steering when last used.

Does the steering mechanism required that the motor be running? I didn't think so. I see two grease fittings around the turn mechanism, should I grease those? It feels like if I force the steering wheel, something will break. The engine does not turn even a little bit. I had a good battery hooked up to operate the trim angle.

thanks very much for any suggestions,
 
More than likely your steering cable is seized.
they only last 5 or 6 years.
disconnect the steering rod and see if the motor will swing back and forth.
If it does, the cable is done. measure the cable from control box to end of steering rod and get a replacement.
you can buy a kit with helm and cable if both need replacing.
 
thanks,

I have some more information now and a picture below:

I took the bolt out of the center engine steering connector and the engine turns freely.

I unscrewed the large nut on the engine side of the steering cable, no movement was possible until I turned the steering wheel to the right.* If I turn it all the way to the right, the cable end moves about 4 inches out along with this 3/8 rigid metal bar that is frozen with the cable.* The other side of the steering mechanism (not the cable connection side) does not move, it seems frozen and unable to go in and out to steer.* This make me think real steering cable is inside that 3/8 rigid metal bar and still attached in there somewhere.* The 4" movement of the cable when the big nut is loose makes me think the steering cable is not frozen in the steering cable hose, but rather the pushrod on the other side of the engine is frozen up.

Not sure what to do next, perhaps disassemble and lubricate the pushrod? It looks like a plastic/composite, non metal nut on that side that has ridges on it, not like a real hex nut.
 

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I had the same problem, you will need to get a heavy hammer and a piece of 2 x 4 and "persuade" the frozen steering rod out.
the old grease has crystallized and seized it up.
try heating the tube with a torch first, as it begins to move you will need a punch or something you can continue working inside the tube.
may take a bit of effort, and another pair of hands makes it easier.
when you get it out, clean out the tube and grease it well before reassembling.
 
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