Yesterday I started working on what I thought was a steering cable that had seized up on my OMC 30 HP.

Turns out the the problem wasn't the cable. Rather, the stainless steel steering rod is seized up inside the steering tube. I can't get it to budge at all.

Would like to hear recommendations as to how to get it unstuck. One thing I haven't tried yet is applying heat.

The offending culprit is highlighted in yellow.

Thanks in advance.

Soakit down with penetrating oil(Kreep made by Sea Foam best I have found) behind the cable nut other end from your picture and let set for couple hours. Try rotating the cable end with punch thru the hole while tapping end. Last resort put bolt in hole so it wo`nt distort then hit to get moving, take bolt out then drive out with punch and large hammer. After you get it cleaned up, use light-weight oil only. Grease will cause cable to get tight or lockup. Good luck

I had a similar problem a couple of weeks ago and since I was replacing my cable I cut the stainless rod loose from the cable and then broke it loose with a pair of vise grips and some taps using a wooden block and a hammer. Once I got it turning I used a wooden dowel rod that I could put in the tube a keep tapping as I turned and pulled. I didn't have enough clearance to pull it out in one piece so I had to cut the stainless rod in half to get it out.

Of course the new rod on the new steering cable would not go back in the tube because it appeared to be corroded inside. I made a little sanding tool putting a dremel sanding tube on a wooden dowel rod. I was able to clean the tube out until the new rod would fit and move. Took an hour to sand the inside of the tube. Clean the tube well and like Gary said use light oil. I actually didn't know if I was sanding rust or old hardened grease out of the tube.

I had the same problem and fixed it a couple times or so, but it finally froze up and would not budge. I would say to replace it now so you are not stuck in the lake.

Ditto all above: I've used a brass/plastic mallet with brass drift pins (dressed)......no steel! Rapid, gentle taps for l o n g periods of time in conjunction with penetrating fluids. Reccommend NO HEAT......(cast aluminum housing vs stainless shaft)

I agree with Creed. I'd be inclined to replace the assembly after the fact!

Good Luck!

Find something that will fit through the hole so you can push/pull with some leverage. Once you get it moving lubricate it in/out several times. You can also pump grease into the fittings as you are moving it.

When ya'll get it out to clean the tube very fast run a long 5/8 paddel bit through the tube with a slow running drill. The 5/8 bit fits perfectly and hurts nothing but the build up and the length of the tip keeps it running staight and true. Then coat the tube real good with marine grease and your set. I did this with my old 85 johnson a couple of time because there was not any thread on the outside edge of the tube to put nut on with a o ring to keep the dirt and salt water out. No problem with this new e-tec. Be sure and get a 12" long bit so it will go all the way through and push the trash out the other end.