Replace steering cable - Remove O/B?

[yt]

Steering on my boat is really hard to turn. Takes both hands and a lot of strength. Motor turns freely by itself as does the wheel so I'm assuming the rack cable is shot. When I tried to pull the end of the cable shaft out of the tube on the motor there wasn't enough room to get it all the way out without hitting the side of the splashwell. Looks like the whole motor has to be moved to get it out. Unless anyone out there knows any tricks to this? Do I have to get a lift or is there some way just to slide it over on the transom?

 

[Silver Heels]

Re: Replace steering cable - Remove O/B?

I know on my boat, I was able to slide the cable through the splashwell enough to clear the motor. With some finessing, you should be able to do it on yours, you only need to slide the cable a foot or so. As far as replacing the cable, make sure the adjustable tab above the prop is set correctly. For me, the motor turned just fine, but I always had to hold pressure on the wheel to maintain a straight course. After adjusting the small tab, the boat was much easier to steer.

 

[yt]

Re: Replace steering cable - Remove O/B?

I tried a few different ways to get the cable shaft out. Even tapped on it with a dowel but it would just reach the point where the shaft seemed too long. The hole in the splashwell isn't centered with the cable. Still I find it hard to believe that the motor has to be moved to get the cable out.

 

[4JawChuck]

Re: Replace steering cable - Remove O/B?

Have you tried lubing the cable? Usually this is all they need to free them up, you can use pressurized air to blow transmission fluid through the cable using a homebuilt pipe with air fitting attachment and a flexible hose to connect to the cable housing with hose clamp.

If you do a search on this forum I am sure there is a thread covering this.

Here is a how-to link.

http://www.hydrostream.org/ArticleArchives/Luber.htm

 

[yt]

Re: Replace steering cable - Remove O/B?

Thanks, I saw that thread about lubing the cable. I don't have a compressor and for the cost of one I can replace the whole steering system.

 

[yt]

Re: Replace steering cable - Remove O/B?

A new Cable $120.000, a new No Feedback rack system $250.00. Decided to order the whole new steering system as long as I was doing it. Bummer is the the motor still needs to be lifted and moved over just a few inches to get the cable replaced. I don't have a hoist or a convenient tree so looks like I'll have to pay someone to do it.. ouch. Even renting a hoist could be problematic, very limited space in my driveway.

 

[allpoints360]

Re: Replace steering cable - Remove O/B?

What size motor do you have? Is your boat on a trailer?

It's no trick, but you can lower the tongue of the trailer, place a block of wood under the skeg of the motor, loosen the mounting bolts, raise the tongue of the trailer and as the stern lowers, the motor will lift off.

With a couple of guys for balance and some patience, this should work. Be careful and good luck.

 

[yt]

Re: Replace steering cable - Remove O/B?

Ok so here's a question. Is it possible to unbolt the motor and just slide it over on the transom say using a floor jack on the skeg? Will it hang on there without being bolted in? I only need about 4 - 6 inches clearance to get this cable out. It's an '82 Johnson 115 with tilt, according to NADA it weighs about 300lbs.

 

[allpoints360]

Re: Replace steering cable - Remove O/B?

Don't count on the transom bracket "hooks" to hold the outboard there. Slide it over, remove the steering rod, slide it back over and use the bolts for safety. Then when you get new steering, do it again.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Replace steering cable - Remove O/B?

Hate to say it, but when I hang a motor with cable steering, I ALWAYS attach the cable to the tilt tube before installing the motor. The motor provides me leverage to bend the cable and get her in place.

Steering cables aren't very "cooperative", as you have found out...

 

[stubbsboogie]

Re: Replace steering cable - Remove O/B?

I had the same issue as you when we replaced my cables. BTW when you get the new NFB system you are going to love it.

We got a floor jack and jacked it up just enough to tilt the motor over. Also used the lifting hook on top of the motor and a rafter in the barn to steady it. You can probably work something similar in your case. Maybe hang a block n tackle from the eaves of the house since you dont have a tree handy.
I would be very careful though. Good luck.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Replace steering cable - Remove O/B?

What has worked for me. Looking at the motor from the back, remove the 3 mount bolts thru the transom and only loosen the top left bolt. Drop the leg enough to give you leverage to rotate the motor around the loose bolt and you might get enough clearance to remove the steering tube. If you do have to lift the motor you will need 3 ea 5/16 X 24 bolts with larger washers to latch in to the flywheel. You are on the money with the weight, can be a bear moving the thing around. regards FRED

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: Replace steering cable - Remove O/B?

use pb blaster and lube it with marine grease and save your money

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Replace steering cable - Remove O/B?

NO!!! I dislike to disagree with anyone on this site but in this case I have to. If there is any hint of a problem with steering, replace the system. Cable could break at anytime, idle or WOT. Its being nice enought to you to give a warning, hede it. FRED