Steering Cable going bad?

[stubbsboogie]

HI guys,

I think I have a steering cable going bad on my 98 Glastron bowrider. Is there some way to check that without simply replacing the whole setup.
Symptoms are it is extremely difficult to turn to the left, and seems to be getting more so as days go by. It is a teleflex system with rack and pinion steering at the helm.
I am reasonably mechanical but do not have a whole lot of tools at my disposal, and would like to know before I take it somewhere what they may tell me. Also how expensive is this repair if it does go bad.
Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steering Cable going bad?

disconnect the linkage at the motor, turn the motor, turn the wheel, while you are at it, grease the pivot points on the motor. usually under the motor, you have to tilt the motor up to find the zerks.

 

[mrcj001]

Re: Steering Cable going bad?

Its 10 years old....replace the cable. The rubber jacket has swelled on the inside and the cable it dragging on the inside of the jacket. Its also dangerous to try and navigate with a tight steering cable....

when I took mine off it was like a pipe cleaner...no matter how you bend it...it would hold the form.....

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering Cable going bad?

Symptoms are it is extremely difficult to turn to the left,

Ayuh,....

I'd sooner think that the torque tab on the motor/ outdrive needs adjusting....

Disconnect the Cable,+ See if it drags, or the problem is somewhere else....

Btw,... A 10 year old steering cable is darn near Brand New....
Mine is the original 1974,+ is still silky smooth...

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Steering Cable going bad?

Well I greased all pivot points and every other zerk I could find on the whole thing.

Then I disconnected the linkage where it comes into the motor in the splashwell. I did not disconnect the other side of the steering rod.
But after I did this I realized I was not sure what I was supposed to be looking for.
THe motor goes back and forth very freely when it is disconnected.
So what am I supposed to be looking for, unsure what Bond-o means by dragging.
Again thanks guys, I am fairly new to boating or at least large complicated boats with lots of moving parts and things, and I-boats is a wonderful resource.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Steering Cable going bad?

If you disconnect the motor link the cable should move freely. By disconnecting the motor you are eliminating the chance of a tight steer tube on the motor. If the cable is that old, chances are it's had it. The cable could be stuck just at the motor end, sometimes forcing some grease up the cable with an adapter and grease gun will buy you some time but it's just as easy to just swap out cable. I usually do the steering gear and cable all together only since they can usually be bought as a package online as package for not much more than the cost of a cable locally.
If the motor steers freely, then the chances are about 95% it's the cable vs. the helm but with the newer no feedback systems out there, it may be tempting to upgrade it all at one time.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Steering Cable going bad?

Thanks Reel
How hard is it to change out the steering cable myself. Lots of specialized tools, and specialized knowledge required or is it something that I can kind of figure out as I go along. It does not "look" all that complicated, but then some things dont look that bad but once you get started, well you know how that goes.
Will it just be as simple as disconnecting and then snaking it through the sides and out the splashwel;l and then reconnecting or am I missing something.
Thanks

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Steering Cable going bad?

It depends on which type of steering box you have, a rotary style box is easiest. If it's a rack style it takes a different type of cable and most require taking off the rear of the rack or at the very least an end clip that secures the cable up front.
On a rotary box, there will be either a threaded end attached to the box or a quick release coupler with a hole in which you insert a small screwdriver to release it. The motor end is usually just a matter of disconnecting the motor link, loosening and removing the cable end from the motor bracket and feeding the old cable out and the new in place.

The trouble spots, if any are usually the possibility of corrosion in the motor tube, tight quarters to work in in the rear corner beyond the motor well, or if it's a center console, getting the cable fished through beneath the floor.

A few good pics of the steering box will help as well a shot of the motor and cable layout. I've had a lot of cables frozen in the motor's pivot tube, I've had a few that needed heat to free up the rusted in cable end. This is more common around salt water.

I bought a new cable only the other day, 17' at a local marina for $80, the whole no feedback kit was about double that. If its a rack system, I'd most likely toss it in favor of a rotary helm and cable.
The usually tools are a few standard wrenches, usually 1/2" and 9/16" and a medium sized adjustable wrench that will open large enough to fit the 1 1/8" or so sized nut on the end of the cable housing. Plus maybe a small screwdriver and a some fresh grease. If it's a rack system, then you may have to pull the steering wheel. Which usually entails a 15/16" socket and a wheel puller but often a quick tap with a mallet while pulling hard on the wheel will often dislodge the wheel from the tapered shaft. If not, may rack systems will come apart leaving the wheel attached to the main shaft which can be removed once out of the boat buy setting the wheel hub across two solid blocks and tapping the steering shaft out with a brass drift.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steering Cable going bad?

i agree toss the rack system for the much improved rotary system. also much easier to install, that is all i use anymore.

this is rotary helm

this is rack system

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Steering Cable going bad?

Well alright thanks for the information guys!
I am going to attempt this job, I am pretty confident I can handle it.
Especially with you wonderful people here talking me through it.
I do have one other question that probably will seem to be a stupid one. I know I can measure and do the formulas that I have seen but cant I just order the same cable length I have now. And that being said I looked at it and the numbers on the cable say
SSC13416 teleflex USA 63061
I know the lenth is hidden in those numbers somewhere, but what is it.

Also I got under the helm and it is a backmount rack steering system that says to replace entire assembly so I figured I would take your advice and switch to a rotary system, since I have to replace the entire thing anyway. Would you go with a no feedback system or will a standard one be ok.
Yamaha 100hp fourstroke, on a Glastron gs180 bowrider.
I am unsure how it will be since I think that the cable has been tight since I bought the boat a few months ago.
Thanks

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Steering Cable going bad?

Your old cable is 16' by that part number.
I would go with the no feedback system, I use them when ever I can. It prevents the motor's torque from transmitting back through the steering. No more pulling to one side while underway.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Steering Cable going bad?

OK Just one more stupid question before I order and start this project. If I am switching from the rack to the rotary, will the cable be the same length or does it need to be longer to allow for the turn in the rotary assembly behind the wheel. INsted of the straight with the rack.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Steering Cable going bad?

Most of the boats I've done have ended up using the same length cable exept on those with 1/2 foot measurements, on those I usually ended up going to the next full foot length. Cables are now only serviced in one foot increments but OEM cables are often exact fit and come it odd lengths at times. (I just pulled one from a 1977 Renken that was marked 16' 4", I replaced it with a 17' since a 16 would have been too short.

Take a measurement as recommended by the steering manufacturer and round up to the next even size.

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Steering Cable going bad?

Alright Parts are ordered I will let you guys know how it comes out. They should be here by Monday next week. I went ahead and upgraded to a NFB system.
Thanks again all for all the help with this.
I love I-boats. Oh and btw I ordered from I-boats as well

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steering Cable going bad?

thats for supporting the company that provide us with this wonderful free forum. you will love the NFB system.