My partner just recently bought a Hewes Craft with a 40hp Yamaha.

Problem: The steering is frozen, disconnect the cables and the wheel turns but hook it back up and it's jammed. Is there a motor lock or something???

Appreciate any info on this....><>

If the steering cables are not stainless or water/debris got under the cable sleeves, then the cables could have rusted up. Especially if the boat was taken into the salt. THis could be your problem. You might have to have the cables replaced. If you do, have the stainless salt water version cables, if you plan on taking it into the salt, and avoid the problem in the future. Without seeing the boat, I can only guess.

Hey man I have an old $0hp Yamaha that runs as good now as it did in 1989 when it was brand new. The steering on it is another story its usually a problem of lack of lubrication on the motor end of the steering cable over winter the moistuer in the NW does a number on the grease and hardens it it usually means dismanteling and cleaning the cable as well as you can and greasing there is a grease fitting but they only work if you always use them. Good luck I hope you have as much fun in your rig as I have had in mine.

I have a 1985 Hewescraft River Runner with a 40 hp Mariner and had the same problem a few years back,it kind of rusted up in parts of the ride guide steering cable I guess from all the saltwater use too and the grease in there was hard and dry from sitting though winter weather.I think I got my part at Auburn Sports & Marine to fix it.

Unhook the cables from the steering helm,next unhook the other end of cable from motor.Now comes the fun part get your hammer and start pounding it out.After you get it out than bring it to the shop& let them clean it and put on a new cable.When you park your boat for any amount of time in the winter months turn your steering wheel till the rod end of the cable is all the way in the motor.That works for me.Better yet get hydraulic steering.The only way to go.

Yep your right Nativepride,had to put the hammer to mine,that was about 5 years ago; now put new grease more often to avoid that problem again.

Another known fact is NOT to use Wd 40 on the steering arm. Somehow when you mix that with saltwater it gums up terribly and will definitely mess up your steering in the future. I, like everyone else have had this problem before. It seems that they should make the steering-tilt tube on our outboards out of stainless instead of rusty old steel. I think you can get them that way now though. When I had my steering freeze up on my Yamaha, the mechanic at the old Tiderunner shop told me to get the cable out and clean it out the best I could, and then to get a drill bit a size slightly larger than the hole and drill it out larger. I did this and have not had a problem since. But then again, I keep the wd 40 out of it and greased up.

Before you begin beating on things with a hammer make sure you get yourself a brass drift and a section of brass rod about the diameter of the steering cable at the motor (stainless steel part which runs through the sleeve). Disconnect the steering cable at the motor by loosening the large nut holding it on. Now WITH the brass drift and brass rod drive the steering cable out of the sleeve. Unless the cable is completely frozen or the outside of the cable is cracked it probably only needs to have some penetrating oil squirted inside the cable from both ends. Clean the stainless steel end of the cable until it is very nice and shiney then clean the inside of the sleeve on the motor. Place a light coating of grease on the stainless portion of the cable and reassemble the cable. Your steering should work fine now. This will be a chronic problem so frequent cleaning especially prior to winter storage will keep yur boat ready to run when you are. The grease fittings at the motor only lubricate the tilt pivot of the motor and does not put any lubricant on the steering cable. Frequent cleaning and maintenence is the only solution I have found to keep the steering working smoothly. Remember any excessive amounts of lubricant on the steering cable a the motor (exposed part) will attract all manner of dirt and grime....light lubrication is the answer. Please use a brass drift when beating on the steering cable or you will indeed be heading to the shop to purchase a new steering cable!

WOW!! Thanks for all the information, sounds like experience talking here. I'll pass this info. on to my fishing partner...

Good fishing.....><>