HARD STEERING

[CDRISSEN]

HARD STEERING

My steering unit is a teleflex dual cable rack system, and its a real work out to get this thing to turn and makes for docking and loading on the trailer a real bear. I disconnected the cables at the engine, and the engine pivots side to side nicely, with very little effort. With the cables still disconnected, I tried turning the wheel and its still extremely hard to turn. It's got grease fittings and the rods are well greased. It feels like turning the power steering of a cadillac with the engine off, its that hard. I've checked prices for a new system, and they are running about $350.00, not installed. Are these systems easy to install? Is this the norm as far as prices go?

 

[CDRISSEN]

Re: HARD STEERING

Re: HARD STEERING

Is there a way to loosen the steering without having to replace the whole unit? By the way, there is no steering lock under the column.

 

[FranksMerc]

Re: HARD STEERING

Re: HARD STEERING

It may be the cable but I just went through the same problem with my Teleflex steering. My trouble was rust and corrosion in between the tilt tube and the steering cable. Its a hard area to grease.You can remove and clean the tilt tube. I was able to clean it and free the steering movement -but because of my transom design I will eventually have to lift the motor to replace the steering cable. <br />From what I found out it seems relatively easy to change the cable, especially if you don't have to lift the motor.

 

[MrWick]

Re: HARD STEERING

Re: HARD STEERING

I replaced a single rack/cable on my boat and it wasn't to bad.You might want to look up under the dash and see if you can remove one rack from the steering column and try to figure out if both cables or only one is bad.I don't know what a dual cable system looks like under the dash but it might be worth a look.

 

[MrWick]

Re: HARD STEERING

Re: HARD STEERING

You may find out that the only bad cable is the one going through the tilt tube.I had to replace the tilt tube on mine along with the cable and rack

 

[MrWick]

Re: HARD STEERING

Re: HARD STEERING

If you don't have a high powered boat with a lot of speed you could probably run with one cable for a short time if there is a way to disconnect the bad one.

 

[CDRISSEN]

Re: HARD STEERING

Re: HARD STEERING

I WAS LOOKING AT THE TELEFLEX WEBSITE AND THEY HAVE A KIT THAT WORKS WITH ENGINES UP TO A V-6. THE ONLY THING IS THAT I HAVE A DUAL CABLE SYSTEM AND THE ONE ON THE WEBSITE WAS A SINGLE CABLE. WHAT EXACTLY DOES A DUAL CABLE SYSTEM DO THAT A SINGLE CANT? WILL THIS AFFECT MY PERFORMANCE? (NOT THAT ITS PERFORMING AT ALL RIGHT NOW). IF I WERE TO MAKE A SUDDEN MOVE WITH THE EXISTING STEERING, I'D BE DEAD. WOULD THIS SINGLE CABLE SYSTEM BE BETTER THAN NOTHING AT ALL?

 

[CDRISSEN]

Re: HARD STEERING

Re: HARD STEERING

ITS A 150 HP MERC BLACK MAX XR4 V-6. I'M NOT CONSTANTLY ON THE THROTTLE, SO WOULD A SINGLE CABLE BE OK TO USE? MAX SPEED OF MY BOAT IS 55.

 

[FranksMerc]

Re: HARD STEERING

Re: HARD STEERING

The dual is needed for larger motors/boats, I have a 115HP 20' boat and a single cable is fine. The teleflex web site has some good information, you just need to know what type of steering, rack, rotary etc, you have and find the replacement cable or if you chose the replacement system.

 

[CDRISSEN]

Re: HARD STEERING

Re: HARD STEERING

OK, JUST GOT OUT OF THE BOAT (11:30 PM PACIFIC TIME). I REMOVED ONE RACK AND WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. I THEN REINSTALLED IT AND REMOVED THE OTHER, AND GOT THE SAME RESULT. THEN HAD BOTH OFF, AND THE WHEEL SPINS FREELY. LOOKS LIKE I GOTTA GET A NEW RACK SYSTEM (HOPEFULLY SINGLE...$129 FOR SINGLE KIT, $345 FOR DUAL CABLE KIT). DO YOU KNOW IF TELEFLEX SELL THE RACKS WITHOUT THE HELM AND BEZEL?<br /> WHAT MAKES IT HARD IS THAT MY BOAT IS NOT EASY TO WORK ON. THERE IS A INTERIOR WALL THAT COVERS THE GUNWHALE WHERE ALL THE ELECTRICAL AND CABLES RUN, AND IM GONNA HAVE TO TAKE THE BACK SEAT ALL THE WAY OUT AS WELL AS BOTH BATTERIES.