Maintenance Instructions; Dual Steering Installation; Steering Coupler Assembly - Mercury 45 Jet 50-55 Service Manual

Maintenance Instructions

Maintenance is the owner's responsibility and must be per-
formed at intervals specified.
Normal Service - Every 50 hours of operation or 60 days
(whichever comes first).
*Severe Service - Every 25 hours of operation or 30 days
(whichever comes first).
*Operation in salt water is considered "Severe Service".
1. Carefully check steering system components for wear.
Replace worn parts.
2. Check steering system fasteners to be sure that they
are torqued to correct specifications.
NOTE: Ride-Guide Steering cable is lubricated at the fac-
tory and requires no additional lubrication at initial installa-
tion.
WARNING
!
Core of steering cable (transom end) must be fully re-
tracted into cable housing before lubricating cable. If
cable is lubricated while extended, hydraulic lock of
cable could occur.
3. With core of Ride-Guide Steering cable (transom end)
fully retracted, lubricate transom end of steering cable
thru grease fitting and exposed portion of cable end
with 2-4-C Marine Lubricant. Lubricate all pivot points
with SAE 30W engine oil.

Dual Steering Installation

Steering Coupler Assembly

Position outboards so that they are pointing straight ahead.
(Distance between threaded hole centers of steering arm/
brackets MUST BE equal to distance between propeller
shaft centerlines.)
Lubricate inside of rubber sleeves with 2-4-C w/Teflon Ma-
rine Lubricant and slide sleeves on steering coupler.
Work rubber bushings onto threaded ends of steering
eyes.
Thread jam nut on starboard steering eye.
Thread steering eyes equally into coupler, so that distance
between hole centers of steering eye ball joints is equal to
distance between threaded hole centers of steering arms/
brackets. Exposed threads of steering eyes MUST BE of
equal length and threads MUST NOT extend out from cou-
pler more than 2-3/4 in. (70mm).
90-817643R1 DECEMBER 1996
c d b
e
a - Coupler
b - Rubber Sleeve
c - Steering Eye
d - Rubber Bushing
e - Jam Nut
WARNING
!
Both steering eyes must be threaded into coupler 3/4
in. (19mm) minimum. Thread length of steering eye is
3-1/2 in. (89mm), so exposed thread must not extend
out of coupler more than 2-3/4 in. (70mm). Failure to
adhere to this requirement could result in steering sys-
tem failure.
Assemble steering coupler between outboard steering
arms/brackets, as shown on the following pages.
IMPORTANT: With assembled steering coupler in-
stalled and before tightening special washer head
bolts/locknuts, check outboard alignment. Distance
between hole centers of steering eye ball joints MUST
BE equal to distance between propeller shaft center
lines, for proper steering. If adjustment is necessary,
temporarily remove special washer head bolt/locknut
from one steering eye and turn eye in or out to correct
alignment.
WARNING
!
Both steering eyes MUST BE threaded into coupler 3/4
in. (19mm) minimum, and jam nut must be tightened
against coupler to prevent coupler from turning.
Torque "jam" nut to 20 lb. ft. (27 N·m).
Tighten "jam" nut against coupler. Torque "jam" nut to 20 lb.
ft. (27 N·m).
Spray Quicksilver Corrosion Guard on exposed threads of
steering eyes and position rubber bushings and rubber
sleeves to cover exposed threads of steering eyes.
WARNING
!
After installation is complete (and before operating
outboard(s), check that boat will turn right when steer-
ing wheel is turned right and that boat will turn left
when steering wheel is turned left. Check steering thru
full range (left and right) at all tilt angles to assure inter-
ference-free movement.
Adjust trim tabs of both outboards, as outlined in "Trim Tab
Adjustment", following.
OUTBOARD INSTALLATION/ATTACHMENTS - 7A-9
a b d c