Splash well too narrow for steering rod

[Moody Blue]

Replaced a 40yr old rotary steering system with a newer teleflex rotary system.

The cable from the old system attached to a transom bracket and the end of the cable connected directly to an arm mounted on the front of the motor (Merc 80HP) and did not use the tilt tube.

In the new system, the cable attaches to the tilt tube and the cable then connects to a rod that then attaches to the motor.

The splashwell is to narrow and the cable hits the port side of the splashwell before the steering cable is fully extended.

What to do? Do I cut a large hole in the splashwell to allow the cable to pass thru?

Anyone else experience this?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Splash well too narrow for steering rod

Can you post some pictures? It would really help to be able to see your exact situation.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Splash well too narrow for steering rod

I had the same problem, I tried cutting the hole method, which worked well untill trying to tilt the engine.

I just left mine hang out the end:

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Splash well too narrow for steering rod

Hmm, interesting thought about the tilting issue. Don't have the motor mounted yet so can't visualize the problem.

Since the steering rod runs through the tilt tube, I wouldn't think it would move when the motor is tilted. Will have to take a closer look tomorrow.

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Splash well too narrow for steering rod

depends on how its mounted. with the use of the rod, it allows it to rotate just the cable.

if you bolt the cable straight to the motor (no rod) the titing of the engine moves the cable up and down, while rotating it inside.

if you use a transom mounted tilt tube, it allows the cable to move up and down.

Ill find the pics to explain this...

 

[BigB9000]

Re: Splash well too narrow for steering rod

now that i read the post again, a hole may be your solution. (if you use the the engine's tilt tube, and steering rod)

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Splash well too narrow for steering rod

now that i read the post again, a hole may be your solution. (if you use the the engine's tilt tube, and steering rod)

Yeh, that what I was thinking. Have not had time to take a close look but that was my first approach. Not pretty but functional.

Hope to get at it tomorrow. If the weather cooperates, I'll try to get a couple photos.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Splash well too narrow for steering rod

Well I had a good look at the linkage and how it moves when tilted. The steering cable passes thru the tilt tube and a linkage rod connects from the end of the steering cable to the motor. After carefully measuring, I was able to cut a 2 1/2" hole in the splashwell that nicely accomodates the steering rod and linkage rod in all tilted positions.

My challenge now is to somehow seal up the back side of the hole. The steering rod passes thru the spashwell about 1 1/2". Don't want to leave it open because water will get behind the splashwell.

Any suggestions?