Steering on 23' Outer Banks

[30FIRE]

The steering on my 23' Outer Banks is hard to turn and I believe in need of some service or partial or total replacement. I am the third owner of the boat and do not know the history of the steering system but I do know it's not hydraulic. Has anybody had any experience in this area with their Blackman. It is a 1985.

[NoSlack]

If you have cable steering, disconnect the cable from the arm on the outdrive(should find the connection behind the engine). Now you can see how free the wheel turns without the outdrive. If it's stiff, replace the cable.

With the cable disconnected, push the outdrive side to side to see how easy it moves. If end of it. it's hard to move your most likely bind is the steering fork. The fork is supported by two plastic bushings and has a grease fitting on the end of it. I've had to remove my fork a couple times to get the old grease broken up and new bushings installed. If the fork is bound up, it can turn into a nice project getting it out.

Mike