www.iFourWinns.com

I have a 1999 H180 with a 130 OB and the steering box on the helm is squeaking something fierce. Does not matter which way you turn the wheel, it squeaks - long and loud. Is there any way to add grease to the box to help quiet it down?

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1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
2013 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi
San Antonio, TX

maybe your belt tension is not tight enought and is slipping (that might have happened to me last year )

kmack,

Does your boat have hydraulic steering or cable? I think most of the OB 180s had the SeaStar (Teleflex) hydraulic setup.

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

I'm not sure it is hydraulic (steering pressure is the same with the engine running or not). I think it is a cable, though. Underneath the helm, there is a tube that sticks out the starboard side of the steering box. With the steering wheel turned all the way in one direction (to starboard I believe), there is a section of what looks like a piece of metal conduit (not sure exactly how to describe it) that potrudes out. It hits up against the fiberglass at full turn. Turning the other direction, there is nothing.

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1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
2013 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi
San Antonio, TX

Kmack,

That is cable steering. Does it turn freely and smoothly?

On most of those systems there isn't much you can do for maintenance. If the cable is getting corroded, it usually gets harder and harder to turn the wheel. The only thing you can do is replace the cable.

If the helm portion is making the noise, it could be something that can be oiled. However, they are usually pretty well sealed up.

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Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

It is easy to turn with little resistance....just makes a lot of noise (squeaking). All the noise comes from the steering box behind the dash. I looked under there when we first got the boat and the section of cable that comes out while turning had some grease on it. Maybe I can get some more on there to help quiet it down some. I just didn't know if there was a way to maintain the steering box.

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1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
2013 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi
San Antonio, TX