Teleflex steering cable removal

[michael brownley]

The steering cable is frozen on my 70 HP Johnson. It sits on a cut-out stern on a Wahoo that prohibits me from pulling the cable out without lifting the motor off the boat. I've read your column and know I have to beat it out. If I could remove the steering cable from the steering wheel assembly, would that save me from having to lift the motor off? If so, how do I disconnect the cable from the steering assembly?

 

[blazed4x4]

Re: Teleflex steering cable removal

Unfortunately, ya do have to lift the motor from the boat. Theres just no way around this. As far as removing the cable from your helm, is the helm skipping when you try to turn the wheel? 9 times out of ten ya dont need to change the cable, just heat and beat it out of the tilt tube on the motor, clean up the cable real good,(use 220 sand paper and wd40) Ream out the tilt tube to get all the corrosion outta there, grease it on up and send it back in.

 

[michael brownley]

Re: Teleflex steering cable removal

Hello Salty Dog. Thanks for the quick reply. The wheel is absolutely solid - will not turn but is not skipping.<br />Concerning your recommendation to heat the area, I only have a propane torch. Will that do and what part of the mechanism should I apply it to?<br />The end of the steering cable with the hole in it is sticking out about two inches. Should I heat that or the entire mounting bracket that contains the tilt tube? Finally, should I use a hammer directly on the end of the cable or cushion it with a stick?

 

[kart33]

Re: Teleflex steering cable removal

One word hacksaw. My 90 Evinrude froze and I had to cut the engine end off the cable and drive it out of the tilt tube. To remove the Steering wheel end remove the wheel, bezel under the wheel and then remove the steering box. Turn the steering wheel shaft and the cable should come out leaving your steering box intact. Take it to the boat store and get another cable that fits the kind of box you have make sure you measure the length according to the teleflex site . There are several different ones, Safe-T, Safe-T QC, NFB (non feedback)good luck.

 

[michael brownley]

Re: Teleflex steering cable removal

Thanks Kart 3. Sounds like the level of difficulty just went up. All this time I've been greazing the zert fittings on the tile tube but I now realize they're only to grease the tilt mechanism, not the turning rod. Rats!

 

[blazed4x4]

Re: Teleflex steering cable removal

Propane, not really hot enough depending on how frozen it really is. Acetelene is ideal but sometimes mapp gas works well too. Try heating it first before ya bust out the hacksaw. Being careful not to heat where the motor tilts being that theres plastic bushings in there. Insert a bolt in the hole at the end of the cable to prevent crushing the end of the cable. Heat it up and see if ya can get it to budge.

 

[DJ]

Re: Teleflex steering cable removal

Michaelb,<br /><br />Steering is not something you want to mess with. If it's frozen, replace it. It will cost about $100.00 or less.

 

[michael brownley]

Re: Teleflex steering cable removal

Salty Dog and DJohns, thank you both for the verbal support.<br />I'm getting my nerve up and with dry weather will try this weekend to shake it loose. If it's too difficult, I'm going with DJohns recommendation and just get it replaced by someone smarter than me.

 

[Tazman282]

Re: Teleflex steering cable removal

My tilt tube is good but my steering wheel is skipping and it makes loud knocks. So what exactly am I looking to replace here. Or is there something that can be fixed. Thanks.

 

[Tazman282]

Re: Teleflex steering cable removal

Is there anyone out there that can answer this for me.... PLEASE

 

[rudeafrican]

Re: Teleflex steering cable removal

Tazman, it is considered good net etiquette to not piggyback your question on someone else's post, rather open a new post. With that said, I think you have gear tooth or 2 or 3 broken. Replace the steering box as spares are not available loose. (not here anyway)