Merc. 120 jet steering cable replacement

[Backjack]

Help, any advice, tricks, shortcuts appreciated. Good news I have not completely removed the old cable..

 

[funpilot]

Re: Merc. 120 jet steering cable replacement

Blackjack,

I've removed my steering cable from both ends of my Sport Jet, but never completely out of the boat. However, it just comes out like any other cable, and once out, you should be able to order an exact replacement by noting the length and the ends on the cable particular to what the boat manufacturer used. The reinstallation is the same as the removal, except in reverse, so you may want to take good notes and use a digital camera to record what you are doing in case you get confused on reassembly.

good luck,
fp

 

[Backjack]

Re: Merc. 120 jet steering cable replacement

Thanks fp, I have heard that it is very difficult to feed the new cable thru the floor and out the small hole on the rear of the jet drive (about 18" of space you can't see) some people say connect the new and old cable before remove the old one, thought about using two heim ends, but they will not fit in the hole. Any other advice on how to SECURELY connect the two so they will not come apart in that 18" dead spot?

 

[funpilot]

Re: Merc. 120 jet steering cable replacement

Blackjack,

This really has more to do with the boat manufacturer than the motor. However, if you have clevis ends on the old and new, I would simply wire them together with some good stainless steel wire, and then cover with vinyl tape to make the transition smooth. If the ends are threaded, can you get a threaded union (two nuts with a hollow rod welded together) to connect them for fishing through? Final sugestion is to pull the first cable out with a fishing tape attached, and then use the fishing tape to pull the next cable through.

On my Sugar Sand Mirage, I can see everything, so fishing it through would never be the problem.

fp

 

[Backjack]

Re: Merc. 120 jet steering cable replacement

Thanks again fp, This is a 96 Sugar Sand 120. The problem is that area from the floor transom and the hole back by the jet where the cable comes out (no mans land) for about 18" and a gas tank that is about 6" away from the front hole, well I should have the new cable Friday and see what happens..

Joe

 

[Backjack]

Re: Merc. 120 jet steering cable replacement

You are gona love this!

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Merc. 120 jet steering cable replacement

It is a pain in the rear. Get the cable first since they are hard to find. I tried to find one for a customer last week and there was about a month wait to get one from the factory. Did find one five feet longer than needed. Any way, you will probably have to pull the bucket and remove the nozzle just because of the locking nuts that hold the cable in place. When you pull the cable back thru the water tight fitting in the hull, attach a line or wire and pull it thru with it. That way you can use the line to fish the cable back thru. Another trick is to use a a flexable hose that will fit over the end of the cable and pull back thru the hole. That way when you push the new cable thru, the hose will guide it thru.

 

[Backjack]

Re: Merc. 120 jet steering cable replacement

Yes PAIN IN THE REAR!!! But I followed common sense and pulled the cable out (from the rear of the boat) and left about 1' in the boat then cut off excess with sawzall (cable was froze inside at rear from corrosion) and removed outer cover and left inside cable in the boat. Used that piece to pull new cable basck thru "NO MANS LAND" and was pleasantly surprised that I had accomplished The installation of A jet Boat Steering Cable.. The part (problem) that many people dont' understand is that the back end of the cable is much larder in diameter than the front, and will not fit the hole! And the gas tank is only a few inches from the bulkhead fitting that comes from the rear!

And if you need parts or help PLEASE BAM WITH BAM MARINE in Pompano wwwmercruisedpartscom, FL www.mercruisedparts.com Great people GREAT SITE plenty of pictures and look up by part # pics from pic's Can't say enough about the great help from them.. BY the way I just removed the three screws that hold the cable bracket from the back of the jet and slid the whole cable and bracket back then loosened the nuts also a oxygen sensor socket works great but you still have to cut off cable excess cble..

What a learning experience!
Thanks for all input and I hope this helps others..

Joe

 

[Backjack]

Re: Merc. 120 jet steering cable replacement

WoW forgot to say thanks Capt Ken either we think alike or we have common sense! One more question should I put some Teflon lubricant in the new rubber bellows that came with the new cable or would you suggest something else, primarily salt water use..? also which locktite would you recommend for the bracket bolts?

Joe

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Merc. 120 jet steering cable replacement

I would probably use a silicone based grease but then anything is better than nothing. Welcome to the world of Sport Jets. I'm on my fourth in about as many years. Appears I may be aquiring another this week.