Re: Seized Steering
I had the same problem on my flying bridge last year. The sucker siezed up tighter than a catholic boy next to a priest.<br /><br />There are two ways that I know of forcing lubricant into the cable.<br /><br />1. Get a length of 1" or 1 1/2 inch black ABS water line. (the type that is on a big roll.<br />Cap one end, put your steering cable into it, fill with Transmission fluid. Cap the end after filling it. Let it sit for several days and then pull the cable out. This is messy, but I have had others that swear by this method. (I picked this tip up from other forums) Then try to free the cable by working it back and forth. If it doesn't free up this way, then a new cable is in order. Honestly, I wouldn't trust this cable if it is siezed that bad.<br /><br />2. This method is only good for cables with a good jacket on them. Have a can of tranny fluid. (Not ************ urine) I have used this method and it works for getting the lube into the cable.<br />Place one end into the container where the jacket of the cable is submerged into the fluid. At the other end, take a good strong shop vac, (I used my refrigeration evacuator pump) and put it over the other end and seal it up real good. If you have it sealed up well enough, the vacuum will draw the lubricant up through the cable. Watch that you do not draw a large amount into your shop vac. It will make a big mess.<br /><br />Problem with these methods is the oil can continue to drip out over a period of time making a mess in your boat. <br /><br />I would only consider this a quick fix, and then replace the cable at a later date. The longer the cable, the odds of getting it to break loose is higher.<br /><br />Good Luck
