TOPIC: MerCruiser 470

I have a 1981 Merc 470 stern drive in our Larson Citation. Recently it has had problems with the steering binding up. I have traced it to the upper pivot bushing. Before I use the boat, I have to shake the out drive to break it loose in that upper bushing or it will not steer. LOCKED SOLID!! After I break it loose, it steers normally.

I pumped grease in there. I could never see it come out. So I added more, a lot more, a whole tube more. Still no evidence of it anywhere. I finally went inside the boat, behind the seats with a light, crawling on the floor and I saw where the grease went. Inside, around the lever that steers the drive.

Does anyone have a solution as to how I can get the grease to go onto the bushing where it is needed rather than squishing out to the inside of the boat? I've seen lots of crazy mechanical crap, but I've never seen this kind of thing before.

Thanks,

Todd

The grease does just fill that cavity and eventually the whole boat.

I suggest you remove and replace the upper swivel pin, the brearing & the seal. I bet you find everything rusty. And, BTW, that is the worst job you can do on a MerCruiser.

I think I will make hired men do it then. This falls in the not fun, maintenance category. Not the fun, restoration, or why doesn't it work?, category.