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To really fix it right, and permanently, you need to:

1. rent an engine hoist for $30/day and unbolt the engine from the boat. I don't think you can remove the steering ram from the engine on a Montauk without doing so.

2. Disconnect the link arm and unscrew the cable for the starboard side of the engine tilt tube. Then pull the entire steering cable out.

3. Clean the inside of tilt tube as WhalerBob describes. A 16 ga shotgun cleaning kit also works well.

4. remove (dig out) the Mercury O-ring inside the port end of the tilt tube and discard. Do not install another!

5. Remove the Mercury port tilt tube nut, and replace with the previously purchased 1" SS Steersman grease zerk nut. (it might be wise to first break loose the port tilt tube nut before hanging the engine - this can be difficult and requires large wrenches)

6. Grease the steering ram and re-install, and re-bolt engine to boat. Hook up link rod, and pump grease into the Steersman nut.

You now have a sealed system that will not let dirt and salt into the tube, and with a now easily replaceable o-ring in the Steersman nut. Clean and regrease once a year by sllding the nut off the steering ram and replacing the seal. By removing the original Mercury seal inside the tilt tube, you can now clean and work grease into the tube at any time without removing the engine, etc.

You can see my installation here on this Merc 150:

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/lgolt...8987082867

Properly serviced, this Steersman nut will eliminate steering lockup permanently.

I also use these on my side mount, tilt tube mounted hydraulic steering cylinders, with same excellent results.