Can't get steering cable out of boat

[MiniDonkey]

It's disconnected from both ends but the length of the solid steering box on one end and the length of the solid shaft on the other are both too long to make the two required bends to pull it out.

Am I missing something? How do I get this out?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Can't get steering cable out of boat

Some can be difficult. But, you must turn the wheel all the way to port (left) to make the engine end of the cable as short as possible. If you are replacing the cable---bend it! Cutting is not an easy option as the core is piano wire--very tough stuff.

There are usually a couple of plastic ties under the gunwale to hang the cable and unless you cut them, they make it difficult to remove it.

If it is rack and pinion steering, the rack end of some cables can be unbolted but some are an assembly with the rack itself and can not be separated.

 

[MiniDonkey]

Re: Can't get steering cable out of boat

Thank you. If I bend it, how do I replace it with the new one? Won't it come with the same challenges?

With the shaft end as small as it will get is still about 6 inches too long to make the 90 degree bend. Does it come unasembled? Not sure how to get this back in if we bend or cut.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can't get steering cable out of boat

Ayuh,.... If the Rack won't come off the cable,+ the stiff end of the cable won't make the turn,...
It's probably time to Up-grade the Whole Thing now,...

Why are you taking it out, if nothing is wrong with it,..??

 

[seabob4]

Re: Can't get steering cable out of boat

Now you guys know that this was going to be posted, so...

MiniDonkey,
Back the boat under a tree with stout branches, or get an engine lift. Hook up the motor via the lift rings to either a chain-fall suspended from am stout tree limb or to the engine lift. Apply pressure until fall/lift are taut. Unbolt engine, remove bolts, and swing engine off to the side. Pull the rod out of the tilt tube, then pull old cable out of the boat from the engine end. Feed the new cable into the rigging tube going forward (can't run it from the helm end, the rod doesn't bend), pull it up into the helm area. Feed it into the helm and secure with the 1/4-20 bolts.

Go back to the engine, still hanging, and feed the rod through the tilt tube. Now swing the engine back into it's mounting position and re-install. The engine gives you the leverage to "bend" the cable. Trust me, it's a small bend and won't hurt anything...

Tighten up cable, re-install steering link, and you're good to go...