Mercury 35/40HP 2 Cylinder Outboards Service Manual PN 90-42794--1, Page 303Get this manual
STEERING COUPLER ASSEMBLY and INSTALLATION Position outboards so that they are facing straight forward(Distance between threaded hole centers of steering armsbrackets MUST BE equal to distance between propeller shaft center lines) Lubricate inside of rubber sleeves with 2-4-C Marine Lubricant and slide sleeves on steering couplerWork rubber bushings onto threaded ends of steering eyesThread jam nut on starboard steering eyeThread 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 armsbracketsExposed threads of steering eye MUST BE of equal length and threads MUST NOT extend out from coupler more than 2-34 in (70mm) Tighten "jam" nut against couplerTorque "j am" nut to 20 lbft(27.1 Nm) Spray Quicksilver Corrosion Guard on exposed threads of steering eyes and position rubber bushings and rubber sleeves to cover exposed threads of steering eyes
AWARNING
After installation is complete [and before operating outboard(s)], check that boat will turn right when steering wheel is turned right and that boat will turn left when steering wheel is turned leftCheck steering thru full range (left and right) at all tilt angles to assure interference-free movementAdjust trim tabs of both outboards, as outlined in "Trim Tab Adjustment," following