Steering Cable problem

[puff tentacle]

Bought a 1985 used boat recently and the steering was always very stiff, Well today went out and tried turning the wheel and something broke and I had no steering. The wheel would turn ultra freely both ways but no steering. I was with a friend who said that my steering cable broke. We went to the parts store and I got a cable with the gear box because it was 8 bucks more. Here is where it got tricky for us , we could not find a break in the steering cable. We had alot of trouble getting the wheel off and now there is a keyway stuck on the part of the gear box that comes through the panel. another friend told me that its my gear box that broke a gear in there, not the steering cable. We cant get that frozen keyway off so I could slide the old gearbox off. Does this sound like we are doing this right????? First timer here on this stuff. Thats the new gearbox and my steering wheel.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Steering Cable problem

Are you speaking of that visible "U" shaped retainer being frozen... OR... a "Woodruff" key that keeps the wheel aligned with the steering shaft which is not visible?

 

[jakedaawg]

Re: Steering Cable problem

what ever you decide to do do NOT hit that shaft with a steel hammer. You could mushroom the end of it and never get it out. I would suggest soaking in PB blaster then trying to remove it. After that maybe the torch.