Tracker Pro 170/50HP Merc jerky steering

[Retiredguns]

Bought a virtually unused 2014 Pro170 with a 50hp Mercury 4 stroke and am really enjoying it. The one thing I'd like to address if possible is the steering being a little "jerky". The steering is just not as smooth as it should be. It is most annoying when trolling at 2.5mph as making adjustments is sort of a chore. I made sure it is lubricated. The lines do not appear to be bound or anything, but something is keeping it from being smoother.

 

This is my first 4 stroke and man is it sweet!

[Alex from GA]

If it's smooth and light when the boat is on the trailer there's nothing you can do.  If it jerks or sticks then you probably have to replace the cable/s.

[Retiredguns]

It is just not as smooth as I believe it should be whether on or off the water. The motor/boat has less than 30 hours use and the cable and steering components seem OK. It's almost as if there is no lubrication, but there is. I think my next step will to take some bend out of the cable to see if it is any smoother. 

[Fishingmickey]

Hi Guns,

     It is likely that the cable is gunked up or rusted internally or the motor pivot bearings are sticky.  You should be able to remove the steering cable at the motor fairly easily with hand tools and disconnect it.  Then try turning the motor by hand with it disconnected and try turning the steering wheel with it disconnected also.  That should reveal where your "stickyness" is. If it is in the cable probably best to replace it. If it is in the motor pivot bearings, greasing the zerk/s on the pivot shaft and exercise could very well free it up.    

Good luck,

Fishmickey

[Retiredguns]

Thanks for the trips. I did make sure everything is lubed. My next step will now be disconnecting the cable as advised.  Love the boat, just want it perfect.

[Retiredguns]

Took cable assembly off motor and the steering wheel turned as easy as can be. The motor turned by hand, but that is where the "stickiness" was. I lubed (again) and worked it back and forth by hand for a few minutes. Put it all back together and it is not perfect but better. I think I can live with is as I sure don't want to take it all apart unless necessary.

 

Thanks again for the advise.

[E-rude dude]

Did you lube until just a little lube came out of the tilt knuckles.?

[Retiredguns]

36 minutes ago, E-rude dude said:

Did you lube until just a little lube came out of the tilt knuckles.?

Yep, just enough to start weeping.

[E-rude dude]

It’s been awhile since I owned a Mercury but some outboards have a grease nipple lower down on the midsection also. It may be under the lower coweling. Meaning you have to tilt motor up to find it. Again not sure about your engine.

[desmobob]

My Tracker Pro170 also suffers from sticky steering.  In my case, it seems to be in the Safe-T-Helm unit behind the steering wheel.  When I spray silicone lube on the area where the shaft comes out, directly behind the steering wheel, it frees up fo a while.  

 

I tried to remove the steering wheel to get better access to the problem area, but I couldn't get it off... a steering wheel puller is required.  I tried to cob something up to do the job and failed.  After I get really irritated with it, I'll spend more time and get it resolved.

 

It's a real pain... it steers smoothly and easily until you don't steer for a while.  Then it sticks when you attempt to make a small adjustment.  It has done this since the boat was new (2014).

[Retiredguns]

My 24 year old Sean Nymph TX175 was so smooth that I could turn the steering by the motor with almost no effort. You cannot turn the steering by moving the motor for all your worth on the Tracker.  I'll get it the best I can. It's not a huge deal, but a bit of a pain when trolling.