BoatBanter.com - View Single Post - Lubricating Teleflex Steering

On Thu, 29 Jun 2006 22:19:24 -0400, wrote:

You want that O ring tight, that is what keeps the water out. It
doesn't take much grease to keep it clean in there if it stays dry.

I made up a cleaning tool years ago. Use the wirebrush tip from a
copper pipe cleaning tool and chuck it up in a 1/4" drill extender.
You can then use a drilll to polish out the tube.

Indeed, I think the O-ring is the key to the survival of the system.

I just ordered a stainless tilt tube to replace the original. The new
steering is still stiff, I believe because of the corrosion in the
tilt tube. I used a wire brush to clean it out, but looking through
it, the surface is still pitted and lumpy. The stainless tilt tube
should cure things for the long haul, provided I check/replace the
O-ring at regular intervals...