Steering Cable broken?

[DC20]

Hopefully you can tell by the picture there is about an 1/8 inch gap (where the metal sheathing meets the big nut) when the steering wheel is turned one way and it closes the gap the other way. It was like that when I bought the boat over a year ago and yes the steering is a little loose. Is it broken? And is it unsafe to leave as is?

 

[Mark42]

Re: Steering Cable broken?

My initial thought is that the big nut is not tightened down all the way. That can cause the cable to slip in/out of the nut.

Have you tried tightening the nut? Teleflex says the nut must be tightened all the way for it to work properly.

I suggest backing the nut all the way off, and inspect for any loose material like plastic or aluminum shavings from rubbing on the nut and make sure the end of the outer cable has the "flare" intact that keeps it from pulling out of the nut. Then grease it up and tighten down the nut all the way. The cable outer housing should not move in/out of the nut when properly tightened.

I just installed a new cable, and I don't recall that the nut can slide on the cable. The flare end may be broken off on your cable and that is why you can see a little black showing between the swedged end of the cable and the big nut.

Back off the nut and describe what you find, post another pic if you can.

Thanks for posting the pic. It really helps.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Steering Cable broken?

as Mark said, unless the nut is not completely tight, you have broken cable, and it could become dangerous.

 

[DC20]

Re: Steering Cable broken?

Ok, then I think my flare is broken because the part that I outlined in red is grease coming up from the inside of the cable, the flared end of the cable will completly seperate from the nut.
Can I find a part number somewhere on the cable to order a new one?
It has the tilt wheel, I think a rotary system.
Thanks for the help.

 

[DC20]

Re: Steering Cable broken?

Well I figured the black part of the cable is about 13 feet so I must need a 14. The rotary part under the dash does say Teleflex.
Is this what I need? Universal QC Rotary Cable, 14'

 

[Mark42]

Re: Steering Cable broken?

The length of the cable is rated odd. I forget if it is the jacket length or overall length. Look closely at the helm end of the cable for a number printed on the jacket. I have seen them in white ink, and just embossed into the jacket. If you have that number, you should be able to call telflex and find out what length cable to order.