Can't get steering cable back in tube

SgtScrounge

Cadet
Joined
Jul 25, 2006
Messages
25
I recently bought a 1979 Sea Ray SRV240 hardtop in fantastic cosmetic and mechanical shape except for the steering. The steering was locked up, and using advice I found in this forum I was able to remove the steering cable from the steering assembly over the weekend. I can't get it to go back in.This link to someone else's previous post has a picture of the steering assembly on my boat. It is the first pic.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=206833&highlight=steering+assembly

It is a pre-Alpha transom assembly. I removed the cable by repeatedly spray penetrating oil [PB Blaster, great stuff !] in each end, and slowly tapping it out with a 5 lb sledge hammer and socket extension.
Once I got the steering cable out, I looked through the tube, and it was visibly pitted.
I cleaned the tube with a 12 gauge shotgun cleaning kit. I brushed out the inside with a brass brush, then ran through wads with solvent on them until they came out fairly clean. The first wads through had a fair amount of metal particles on them.
The rod on the end of the cable appeared in fairly good shape. I lightly sanded it and coated it with marine grease. I filed the rod tip edges in case it had flaired from the tapping. It slid fairly easily about halh
f way into the tube, then it would't go any further.
The tube consistys of 2 parts. There is an aluminum tube which is threaded on the outside, and this is the part the rod initially slides into. This tube [silver] is screwed and bolted into a black tube, which I believe is steel. The threaded aluminum tube has a large nut and washer to lock it in place to the black tube.
The basic question is, how the heck do I get the rod all the way through the tube ?
Do I need a new tube, and if so, how do I get the old one off ?
Could I need a new cable ? The existing one appears in good shape. I do not know the manufacturer of the cable. The sheathing is red, the numbers on it are not readable, and it is a rack and pinion system.
 

SgtScrounge

Cadet
Joined
Jul 25, 2006
Messages
25
Re: Can't get steering cable back in tube

This link to someone else's previous post has a picture of the steering assembly on my boat. It is the first pic.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=206833&highlight=steering+assembly
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
10,083
Re: Can't get steering cable back in tube

Your pictures didn't post. the links are defective.


There's a zillion places out there that sell steering cables. A very common manufacturer of cables is Teleflex.

You can buy them right here on iBoats and a plethora of other boating suppliers like Go2marine etc.



It appears that yours was allowed to get so severely corroded that not only is the cable now bad but more important the steering actuator is also possibly severely corroded too.

The cable should slide thru the actuator easily with very little force. The large nut should screw on by hand and then and then it usually torqued to about 120 in-lbs (about 10 ft-lbs) not very much!

Here's some examples of steering system parts you might need.

You also may need to rebuild or replace your steering actuator.


You can find them in a boat wrecking yard or on ebay etc.


Cheers,


Rick
 

SgtScrounge

Cadet
Joined
Jul 25, 2006
Messages
25
Re: Can't get steering cable back in tube

On this boat, the cable doesn't go inot the actuator directly. It is a TRS transom assembly and steering system, and the cable goes into the cable guide tube assembly. I have seen it called a swivel ring tube also. I removed the cable guide tube assembly and brought it home for disassembly and cleaning. I am going to tackle that tonight, and I will post what I find.
The steering wheel moves freely now that the end is disconnected, and the cable moves freely in the sleeve. Unless the rod at the end of the cable is distorted, I do not think I need to replace my steering cable or helm yet.
 
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