Johnson Outboard Swivel Bracket Removal: Know the Exact Series of Steps
Are you facing difficulties in maneuvering your boat? Is your boat engine not rotating properly? Does the steering become frozen? Well, it is high time to change the swivel bracket of your Johnson Outboard boat engine.
Apart from these reasons, you may need to change the swivel bracket for several other reasons. But it is quite natural for you to be unaware of the Johnson Outboard swivel bracket removal process.
In plain language, you must detach the cable connections, steering system connections, and bolt connections between the boat’s body and the engine. Then separate the bolt connections between the swivel bracket and the engine; finally, disconnect the bolts connecting the swivel bracket with the main body of the boat.
Eager to know every step in detail? If so, what’s the delay? Hop on for the ride.
Tools Required for the Removal Process
If you don’t want to cause any damage to any parts of your engine, you must require a few necessary tools to perform the removal process smoothly.
Required Tools-
- Bolt Opener Machine
- A set of a punch tool
- Flat Head Screwdriver
- An adjustable wrench
- A Set of Allen Screwdrivers
Swivel Bracket Removal Process
An important little reminder: Before you start the swivel bracket-removing process, you must follow and keep in mind the following precautions-
- Read all the instructions and guidance and
- Know every detail
- Follow the steps accurately, as mentioned.
Step 1: Detach the Gas Acceleration and Gear Shifting Cable
The swivel bracket is the device that attaches the outboard engine to the main body of the boat. Besides, it also allows the engine to rotate, facilitates the boat’s steering system, and plays a significant role in boat maneuvering.
So, removing the swivel bracket means you are disconnecting the engine from the main body of the boat. That is why, while removing the swivel bracket, you first need to disconnect the entire cable connection of the engine with the boat.
Hence, it would be best if you detached the engine’s gas acceleration cable and gear-shifting cable.
So, carefully loosen the bolt to the gear-shifting cable with an accurately sized wrench or bolt removal machine and take out the cable. After that, in the same fashion, loosen the bolt of the gas acceleration cable and also disconnect the cable from the engine.
There is no alternative to being careful in this step. Especially when you are detaching the gear shifting cable, maintain maximum precaution to avoid damage to the cable.
Step 2: Detach the Steering Connection with the Main Engine
In this stage, you have to disconnect the steering system of the boat from the engine. This step will facilitate the convenience of your swivel bracket removal process.
- At first, totally unscrew the bolts on both sides of the steering rod.
- Now, disconnect the steering cable from the engine by unscrewing the connecting bolt with an accurately-sized wrench.
- After that, carefully pull out the steering rod from one side.
- After that, if any bolt connection of the steering system with the engine is left out, remove the bolt with the help of a bolt removal machine.
Step 3: Detach Evey Bolt Connections Between Swivel Bracket and Main Engine
Once you have disconnected the steering connections, gas acceleration, and gear shifting cable, ensure no connection is left between the boat body and the main engine. So, it’s time to detach the bolt connections connecting the engine with the swivel bracket.
First of all, locate all the bolt connections. Then remove every bolt with a bolt removal machine with maximum precaution to avoid causing damage to the engine.
Sometimes, you may find bolts that are not conveniently accessible with a bolt removal machine. In such a scenario, use the adjustable wrench or screwdriver.
However, you may also find a few allen bolt connections in many models’ of Johnson Outboard boats. In that regard, use the allen bolt screwdriver.
After detaching every bolt connection between the swivel bracket and the engine, carefully bring out the engine and place it in a safe place.
Step 4: Detach Evey Bolt Connections Between the Swivel Bracket and the Main Body of the Boat
You know what, you are just one step behind from removing the swivel bracket. After taking out the engine from the swivel bracket, you will now get easy access to the swivel bracket. Now, the swivel bracket is only connected to the main boat body with a few bolt connections.
So, as you have done earlier, first try to locate every bolt connection between the swivel bracket and the main body of the boat.
After locating, open every bolt with the bolt removal machine. Don’t forget to use the adjustable wrench, where you can’t access the bolt with the bolt removal machine.
Booom!!! You have successfully removed the swivel bracket of the Johnson Outboard Engine all by yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Because of several reasons, you may face difficulties in maneuvering your boat. But one of the prime reasons is because of the faulty swivel bracket. The swivel bracket allows the engine to rotate and move according to the rotation of the steering wheel.
So, If there is any defect in the swivel bracket, maneuvering problems in the boat may occur.
Leaning the boat to one side commonly occurs because of two reasons. The first one is when the boat’s steering system is not installed properly and accordingly. The other reason is when the engine is not accurately mounted in the swivel bracket, or the swivel bracket is not mounted with the boat properly.
Yes, the swivel bracket of a boat is pretty much replaceable. For several reasons, it is required to change the old swivel bracket. You just have to detach the engine from the swivel bracket and then have to detach the swivel bracket from the engine. In place of the old swivel bracket, you can install a new one for a better maneuvering experience.
Final Insight
Well, that’s there for all. I believe now you have come to know all the series of steps regarding the Johnson Outboard swivel bracket removal.
From now on, if you face any difficulties with your boat and removing the swivel bracket becomes necessary, I hope you will not find yourself in a “Don’t know what to do” situation. You can perform the task smoothly without causing any damage to the engine because you know the drill.
You Can Also Read: