Honda Tilt Shaft / Steering

[BuildItOnce]

Hi All,

The steering in my 22’ C-Dory has finally seized up permanently… I’m talking PB Blaster soak, hammering, hydraulic press ain’t fixing it type of seized up. So now I’m looking at replacing it. The part that is seized is the guide rod that goes into the tilt shaft… I was considering machining a new tilt shaft and guide rod from 316 stainless… and machining a new hydraulic steering mount that threads onto the end of the tilt shaft from aluminum (that I bought at auction from an aerospace machining company that closed down). Can anyone tell me why this might be a bad idea in terms of corrosion? Especially between the 316 stainless tilt shaft and the motor itself? I’d think the grease injected via the zerk fittings would keep corrosion between dissimilar metals at bay. I’m wanting to eliminate seized steering with corrosion resistant metals, better lubrication, and better seals/wipers than the off-the-shelf setup I had… I can achieve this by machining my own solution… just a little hesitant with materials and potential corrosion. FYI, my boat mostly sees salt water.

Thanks!

 

[JamesTXSD]

Before you start replacing parts, you might check into cleaning out and replacing the grease in the steering rod mechanism. When it sits for a while, that grease can compact like concrete, not allowing the engine to turn at all.

 

[BuildItOnce]

Before you start replacing parts, you might check into cleaning out and replacing the grease in the steering rod mechanism. When it sits for a while, that grease can compact like concrete, not allowing the engine to turn at all.

This is what I already tried. I took the entire assembly off the motor and stripped it down to just the guide rod and the tilt steering shaft. I soaked it in PB blaster overnight and tried hammering it out to break the guide rod free... that didn't work... I also tried puttiing it in my 20-ton press... that didn't work (started bending)... it's a goner at this point and now I need a replacement. I'm hesitant to do the same solution again as I don't see why it wouldn't seize in the future. I had posted about this seized steering before and if I recall I think I was advised that this assembly was supposed to be oiled, not greased... and the grease was a big part of the problem. However, I bought the boat in this condition. Looking inside the tilt steering shaft I can also see lots of rust/corrosion... so one option would be to replace it with the same setup but use oil instead of grease. However, I imagine the inside of the tilt steering shaft will start to corrode at some point... this is why I'm liking the idea of 316 stainless with proper wipers and seals.

 

[tsturm]

Before you start replacing parts, you might check into cleaning out and replacing the grease in the steering rod mechanism. When it sits for a while, that grease can compact like concrete, not allowing the engine to turn at all.

This is what I already tried. I took the entire assembly off the motor and stripped it down to just the guide rod and the tilt steering shaft. I soaked it in PB blaster overnight and tried hammering it out to break the guide rod free... that didn't work... I also tried puttiing it in my 20-ton press... that didn't work (started bending)... it's a goner at this point and now I need a replacement. I'm hesitant to do the same solution again as I don't see why it wouldn't seize in the future. I had posted about this seized steering before and if I recall I think I was advised that this assembly was supposed to be oiled, not greased... and the grease was a big part of the problem. However, I bought the boat in this condition. Looking inside the tilt steering shaft I can also see lots of rust/corrosion... so one option would be to replace it with the same setup but use oil instead of grease. However, I imagine the inside of the tilt steering shaft will start to corrode at some point... this is why I'm liking the idea of 316 stainless with proper wipers and seals.

If one's time and wallet will allow it re-engineering it using better materials is the way to go. Or put seastar hyd. steering on it & be done with it. :wink: :thup