Conversion of Drum/Cable (Tiller) Steering to Teleflex??

[imported_Samuel]

Can anyone describe to me how the Teleflex system works...as I understand it the single cable operates both left and right (port and starboard). The drum / cable system I have now does a ton or work....can a single cable assembly actually do both effectively?? Since I was about to replace the old system with a similar one, I thought maybe a more modern choice might be a consideration...any thoughts on the subject?? Thank you much.

Sam
Specs.:

15 Foot (runabout) Lone Star Triton, 40 HP Rude Lark VI

 

[samsam]

Re: Conversion of Drum/Cable (Tiller) Steering to Teleflex??

.can a single cable assembly actually do both effectively?? Since I was about to replace the old system with a similar one, I thought maybe a more modern choice might be a consideration...any thoughts on the subject?? Thank you much.
Sam
15 Foot (runabout) Lone Star Triton, 40 HP Rude Lark VI

Of course they can, that's why there are billions of them in existence. As for your cable and drum system, they work well but one problem is if any part of one side lets loose, such as a pulley breaks, a spring breaks, the cable breaks, a cable clamp breaks, the tension on the other cable will pull the motor and give you an instant change of direction. Sam

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Conversion of Drum/Cable (Tiller) Steering to Teleflex??

The modern (actually been around for a while now) no feedback teleflex systems are nice. Unfortunately, it is a complete replacement.

They are usually fairly easy to install.

There are two typical issues that you may run into. Often the engine must be partially removed to insert the steering cable into the tilt tube on the engine bracket. If it is an older engine without the tilt tube, there are adapters available to connect the steering cable end to the engine.

The other, less common issue, is the width of the motor well. 30" is typically the minimum width for maximum engine movement. If you don't have this width, a common solution is to simply make a small 2"x3" hole for the end of the steering gear to poke into when it is fully extended.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Conversion of Drum/Cable (Tiller) Steering to Teleflex??

Can anyone describe to me how the Teleflex system works...as I understand it the single cable operates both left and right (port and starboard). The drum / cable system I have now does a ton or work....can a single cable assembly actually do both effectively?? ....

The new single cable system is roughly a 1/2" outer diameter tube with a steel cable inside. It is driven at the helm end by either a rotary or rack drive that push/pull the cable in the housing. Very solid.

The motor end of the cable has a rigid aluminum "piston" arrangement that protruded from the housing and connects to the motor via a common linkage arm. Because the end of the cable passes through the tilting hinge point of the motor, the motor can be tilted without binding the steering cable... the cable just twists a few degrees in it's housing.

In this photo you can see the cable enter the motor tilt tube from the starboard side (where it attaches via a large nut) and exit the port side where the linkage connects the "piston" end of the cable to the motor.

If your motor does not have the hole in the tilt tube (look for threaded ends on the tilt portion too) then add another $80 or so for the hardware to mount the cable properly on a non-tilt tube motor.

They can be generally mounted from either the left or right hand side, depending on what side of the boat has your wheel on it.

BTW, the steering helms generally take a steering wheel that fit a tapered shaft. So if you wheel is on a tapered shaft, it may swap over to the new unit. Otherwise, a new wheel is in order or modifications or adapter needed to make the old wheel work on new system.

 

[imported_Samuel]

Re: Conversion of Drum/Cable (Tiller) Steering to Teleflex??

Can anyone describe to me how the Teleflex system works...as I understand it the single cable operates both left and right (port and starboard). The drum / cable system I have now does a ton or work....can a single cable assembly actually do both effectively?? ....

The new single cable system is roughly a 1/2" outer diameter tube with a steel cable inside. It is driven at the helm end by either a rotary or rack drive that push/pull the cable in the housing. Very solid.

The motor end of the cable has a rigid aluminum "piston" arrangement that protruded from the housing and connects to the motor via a common linkage arm. Because the end of the cable passes through the tilting hinge point of the motor, the motor can be tilted without binding the steering cable... the cable just twists a few degrees in it's housing.

In this photo you can see the cable enter the motor tilt tube from the starboard side (where it attaches via a large nut) and exit the port side where the linkage connects the "piston" end of the cable to the motor.

If your motor does not have the hole in the tilt tube (look for threaded ends on the tilt portion too) then add another $80 or so for the hardware to mount the cable properly on a non-tilt tube motor.

They can be generally mounted from either the left or right hand side, depending on what side of the boat has your wheel on it.

BTW, the steering helms generally take a steering wheel that fit a tapered shaft. So if you wheel is on a tapered shaft, it may swap over to the new unit. Otherwise, a new wheel is in order or modifications or adapter needed to make the old wheel work on new system.

Great response...good explanation of what to expect....thank you!!

Sam

 

[sdunt]

Re: Conversion of Drum/Cable (Tiller) Steering to Teleflex??

One item to keep in mind with older outboards, is that they require a larger swing that most push-pull systems can provide.

I have a '65 chrysler that I converted from pull & cables, to push - pull. I have a mercuery - quicksilver Ride Guide system.

The piston travel on my push pull is 8 inches. If I were to attach that to the front of the outboard where the cables where attached, I would need 12 inches of travel to turn the motor from stop to stop.

Obviously this is something I have already struggled with, check out: http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,205,00.html

T& R Marine sell several adapter kits, carried by Iboats, but these do not do anything to handle differences in the amount of swing needed for older outboards.

Mark42 is blessed to be running a 1990's 'rude that was built for a push pull steering systemm, where the motor swing and pivot attachment point are optimized for 8 inches of travel.

 

[imported_Samuel]

Re: Conversion of Drum/Cable (Tiller) Steering to Teleflex??



Sorry the LINK you provided did not work...and YES this is an older boat (1964 LoneStar Triton Runabout, 15 ', with a Rude 40 HP Lark VI, also 1964) and I believe it has the same issue of actual travel lenght...I would guess-timate it to be at least 12 inches...can you re-post link so I can either re-cable or order the alternative...Just want to be on the water..Thx

Sam

 

[sdunt]

Re: Conversion of Drum/Cable (Tiller) Steering to Teleflex??

Iboats has a problem with the link format that shareaproject uses, you will need to copy and paste the entire link by hand into your browser www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,205,00.html

 

[Mark42]

Re: Conversion of Drum/Cable (Tiller) Steering to Teleflex??

Sdunt really whent through some efforts to build his setup. I know, because when I bought my boat, it had a '67 Rude V4 monster on the back. Right about the time I got the steering sorted out (although I never had it on the water) I ended up selling the big old Rude and buying the '93 40hp because that old rude had other problems

BUT, if you want to use a newer rack/rotary setup with the pre-through tube motors, this kit (under $100) will make life much easier.

The advantage of this kit over custom fabrication is it is a big ball mount for the through tube, so it gives lots of range of motion to the cable end mount to accomodate the tilt and turn of the motor while holding it all in place nice and solid without binding.

Look in the mega mall under steering accessories. They have many parts to make the old motors work with the new stuff.

Also, go to Teleflex support site and e-mail them with questions. They have been very good at getting back to me, often the same day with answers about steering and gauges. Also browse their catalogs (they have lots of them) and they have more stuff than iboats shows in the mega mall. If you find something better in their catalog, iboats can order it for you.

PS, I find the latest Teleflex support site much harder to find what I want than from about two years ago, but it is still all there.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Conversion of Drum/Cable (Tiller) Steering to Teleflex??

BTW, if you use this format for posting links, it works for any link with a comma in it (like the shareaproject forums links)

[XXX=http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,27,00.html/] Click here for my Project[/XXX]

Replace the "XXX" with "URL" and it will look like this:

Click here for my Project

That's how the links in my signature below are coded.

 

[sdunt]

Re: Conversion of Drum/Cable (Tiller) Steering to Teleflex??

Thanks mark, I knew someone had an answer for how to get links to work.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Conversion of Drum/Cable (Tiller) Steering to Teleflex??

Any time, buddy!

 

[sdunt]

Re: Conversion of Drum/Cable (Tiller) Steering to Teleflex??

Yea Mark,

I am curious, can you measure how much travel your teleflex steering ram has? My Merc Ride Guide does 8 inches and I am wondering if thats standard.

Also, with your steering setup, can you turn your OB from stop to stop? I know that's not needed, generaly, when cruising along, but it sure is handy by the dock or trailer.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Conversion of Drum/Cable (Tiller) Steering to Teleflex??

Right now its back under its cover. Probably won't come out again until early August. I can measure then for sure.

But i recall that 7.5 or 8" is the ram length on the telefex unit and it works perfectly with the steering linkage mounted on the motor using the mounting hole closest to the pivot point on the steering arm. There are two holes for the linkage to mount, about 1.5 or 2 " apart on the steering arm of the motor.

Yes, the motor does turn its full range with the current setup.

 

[sdunt]

Re: Conversion of Drum/Cable (Tiller) Steering to Teleflex??

Cool, thanks..