sticky steering

[fishnfreak]

I've got a real sticky steering cable. Decided to try and lube the teleflex cable, took the cable of the outboard and forced cleaner through with the help of an air compressor, the cleaner was not coming out at the steering column so i decided to try and help it along, took the rack off the steering column and noticed there was a nut at the end of it. Figured i could probably loosen it up to allow the lube to come through easier. BUT when i tried to loosen the nut there was some tension... suddenly it just let go.... I kept loosening it for a bit there was no more tension. Started getting worried that i was just unwinding the cable sheathing. My rack was really rusted so i could barely make out the warning on it but i did after a while i made it out it said Warning do not disassemble disassembly could cause steering failure or something along that line.
Just wondering if anybody knows what may have happened when i tried to loosen the nut at the end of the rack. Should i be worried? PB is coming through nice and easy now and the steering cable is nice and loose. Just worried that i may have damaged the cable. Any thoughts on what loosening the nut has done? I tried to tighten it back up but it just keeps spinning around and doesnt seem to catch.

I've included a couple pictures for reference... you can clearly see the nut that I looseneed in the one picture. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

Harry

 

[fishnfreak]

Re: sticky steering

I guess nobody knows what the nut is for huh? Oh well, thanks anyway.

 

[dan4081]

Re: sticky steering

Mine does the same thing....just keeps spinning. I havent had any issues with it since I did the air compressor trick though.

Glad to hear you got the steering loose.

 

[fishnfreak]

Re: sticky steering

Hi Dan,

How long has it been since you've loosened the bolt? I've been on another boating forum and the general consensus seems to be to replace the cable. I've not had one reply saying otherwise.

Do you know how that whole piece is put together? If i saw a diagram of how it is put together i'd feel more comfortable with it but with everybody highly recommending to just replace the entire cable it's making me nervous about using it. My outboard is 115hp, and the thought of loosing my steering flying along at 50mph is making me think twice about using it as is.

Does anybody have an old one kicking around that they'd be able to crack open to see how it is all put together? Perhaps post some pictures?

 

[smurfin]

Re: sticky steering

it might be spring loaded (under tension) i would be very careful when playing with it that nut might become a bullet!!! just a guess!!!! SAFTEY FIRST

 

[dan4081]

Re: sticky steering

when i did the air compressor lube to my steering cable i disassembled the rack. that nut is the end of the metal rod attached to the cable. if you remove it, and the 2 bolts that goes thru the rack at the other end of the cable you can pull the cable and the insides out of the rack. 2 plastic retainer clips and a long metal peice with teeth come out. i would diassemble the unit and check the threads on the cable end. if ok i would clean the rack and use marine grease on the rack and reassemble it. if the threads on the end of the cable are stripped i would try running a die on it to restore the threads. if not then replace the cable. it took less than 5 min to disasemble the rack and put it back together. its been a couple of months and no issues with it.

 

[dan4081]

Re: sticky steering

sorry had a couple of thoughts. that is the end of the steering cable the cable runs through the teeth you see in the hole in the center of the rack. when you turn the nut is the cable and the nut spinning because the cable is no longer frozen in the cable sheeth. you might just remove the nut spray it with wd 40. and try to replace it. i cannot see the end of your rack where the cable goes into the rack. it may be crimped insted of bolted like mine. if its bolted disasemble it like i explained in previous post. it will give you peice of mind. if its crimped try to take the nut off lube and replace. if its crimped i would only disasemble as a last ditch effort with cable replacement planed if anything breaks during disassemble (like the crimped case). that nut pulls the cable when you turn the steering wheel i would not go out with it loose.

 

[fishnfreak]

Re: sticky steering

Dan,

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately the other end of the rack is crimped on. I don't want to try removing it as i'd be concerned about the integrity of the crimp even if the collar didn't break. If the nut is actually attached to the cable without another piece which would allow the cable to turn freely then i need to replace the entire assembly and cable. If there is indeed a swivel attached to the cable before the nut is attached and that nut is suppose to turn freely then i'm good. Do you recall if the cable is attached directly to the cable or is there a swivel type of connection at the nut? Thanks for your help.

Harry