AQ125a/270, 1985 Bayliner Capri 1950 cables

mfsb

Seaman
Joined
Apr 23, 2011
Messages
70
hello everyone. I purchased this cherry of a boat the other day and all I have found so far is that the steering is stiff from lack of use and the reverse on the outdrive is very difficult to engage. It runs like a champ, hull is excellent and interior is wonderful as well. I am looking for the length of the cables for the shifter and steering, it is a rotary steering cable not rack and pinion. I know I can pull them off and order against their measured length. I am hoping someone on here already knows the right lengths or part numbers and can relay them to me. Thanks in advance for any help.
 

captmello

Captain
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Jun 30, 2008
Messages
3,848
Re: AQ125a/270, 1985 Bayliner Capri 1950 cables

The shift cable may have the length printed on it in inches. I'm not sure about the steering cable.
 

mfsb

Seaman
Joined
Apr 23, 2011
Messages
70
Re: AQ125a/270, 1985 Bayliner Capri 1950 cables

yeah I figured that, i am going to look on all of the cables when I get the chance, I am working the next 12 days straight and want to try and order the cables to have them waiting for me when I get the weekend to work on it. I was hoping with Bayliner being such a popular brand that someone having the same boat would have done it and could share. Thanks though, will look on the cable.
 

mfsb

Seaman
Joined
Apr 23, 2011
Messages
70
Re: AQ125a/270, 1985 Bayliner Capri 1950 cables

My week at work comes to a close tomorrow. I have had a chance to get in the boat of the past couple of days and this is what I have come up with. I disconnected the steering at the arm that comes from the outdrive. The cable moves freely and is not my issue, glad I didn't just buy one expecting to put it in! The outdrive is very stiff! The shifting is stiff as well, which has been the whole time. I believe that corrosion or marine growth is the issue and expect to replace the shift cable as soon as I get the thing removed. The stiff steering however I am not feeling confident on. I expect to find that the pivot on the center case of the outdrive has some issues, either corrosion or growth. I am not 100% sure on what to replace when I pull it out and do not want to waste a bunch of time with the outdrive off if I don't have to. My boat was a salt water boat and only since I purchased it has it become a fresh water boat. I don't have it out of the water at the moment, it sits at my dock so I have to get it out of the water to pull the steering helmet off and issolate wether it is the helmet or outdrive.

My question is, if I find that it is the outdrive what all should I expect to replace? I have looked at the outdrive manual I just am not possitive on what all I should have on hand to get this thing back in the water with minimal time in my driveway.
 

sqbtr

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 23, 2010
Messages
716
Re: AQ125a/270, 1985 Bayliner Capri 1950 cables

Have you tried greasing the pivot shaft, if memory serves the fitting is port side. The yoke also has a grease zerk right on top.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: AQ125a/270, 1985 Bayliner Capri 1950 cables

I disconnected the steering at the arm that comes from the outdrive. The cable moves freely and is not my issue, glad I didn't just buy one expecting to put it in! The outdrive is very stiff!

Most likely there is corrosion under the bushings on the steering fork where it goes through the transom shield. Especially if the boat has been used in salt water. That corrosion squeezes the plastic bushings against the steering shaft until it won't turn.
 

mfsb

Seaman
Joined
Apr 23, 2011
Messages
70
Re: AQ125a/270, 1985 Bayliner Capri 1950 cables

I appreciate your quick reply Don. I will be pulling the boat out of the water and checking that helmet tomorrow morning. I am picking up the hardwared for it on my way home tonight. I am hoping that I can pull the steering helmet, clean and polish the bushing areas and re assemble. I will utilize marine quality grease, do you have anything specific you recommend? If i find it is pitted and not clean able I will be purchasing a replacement and either way installing. With how well the boat is maintaing I expect to find the lower bushing has corrosion, upper is in great shape, and I clean and polish it and it works fine.
 

mfsb

Seaman
Joined
Apr 23, 2011
Messages
70
Re: AQ125a/270, 1985 Bayliner Capri 1950 cables

I have pulled the outdrive steering pin off and I both a stiff steering arm through transom shield and the pivot pin on the out drive. I did replace the shift cable and now it needs adjusting, hopefully will not be a challenge to get it right. I believe I should be able to handle it fine. As I inspected the outdrive I noticed that the outdrive is very corroded. I will start a new post on that subject. Thanks for the help guys, my shift cable was 13 ft btw, very inexpensive at 42 bucks.
 
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