1988 Mercury 20hp Friction Control

[ugmold]

Hi Folks,

Having a problem with my 88 Merc Friction control, basically it does nothing. I can tap the lever with a hammer to get it to go from side to side but it does nothing. I loosened the bolt that holds the lever (loose in image), but did not take it off, very tight fit to get it back on. So I thought about dissembling the pivot/support. I started at the big hollow rod with the nuts on both ends and took them off. I have no idea if that threads thru or you should be able to tap it out. I stopped there. Here are a couple of pics. Any ideas.

Thanks Much in advance.

-Ugmold

[boats.net]

If it is too hard there maybe some corrosion issues. Pictures did not come through.

[ugmold]

I see the pics just fine, here at work and at home.

Like I said the lever will move, sure corrosion or gunked up. But even when it does there is no difference in friction.

I have 2 Manuals that cover way too many sizes. Not a thing mentioned. I'd take it apart and clean it if possible. I need to get that threaded pipe out and don't know how.

-ug

[boats.net]

Unfortunately I cannot see the pics, however if with the adjuster freed and still excessive friction, then the swivel bracked might be gunked or corroded. This would be extensive to repair.

[ugmold]

That was my guess too. The 20 has a tiller setup that has been added. I am planing on putting it on my Boston Whaler. The Whaler use to have a cable/pulley setup. The boat was stolen, stopped and trashed. I brought it back to life and have a 9.5 Johnson on it now, with tiller.

The Merc w/o friction using the tiller is not safe, the engine wants to move around, a bit scary. I think with the cable/pulley setup it will be fine but I have to convert it back to non-tiller. I may or may not have the parts as the previous owner gave me a box of stuff.

I was hoping to use the boat with the merc/tiller setup til I build a new helm and get the cables in place.

Try this for the pics.

iboats Boating Forums

iboats Boating Forums

or

1988 Mercury 20hp Friction Control

Thanks for the reply
-ugmold