steering cable

[foresteronw]

I have a 1989 21 foot Sunbird Eurosport cuddy cabin. It has an OMC 5.7L engine and OMC cobra outdrive. My steering is tight both to the left and to the right through out the entire motion. I believe that the cable needs to be replaced, it seems to be original and the previous owner never changed it. I will be disconecting it from the actuator this week end just to be sure, but is there anything else I should do before purchasing a new one. Also, once this is removed from the boat, how do I know which one to purchase.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: steering cable

Look for the manufacturer's name and model, somewhere on the steering head[under the steering wheel] e.g. Teleflex No Feedback. Cable length is critical, so measure the old cable to get a duplicate. Seriously consider replacing the whole unit as there have been improvements in systems.

 

[Bondo]

Re: steering cable

When you disconnect it from the tiller end, Pull a bunch of it back-out thru the gunnel.... You Should be able to find the printing on the outer casing(it's somewhere on the last 1/3rd of the cable)......It will tell you how many inches you have..... If Not, Just Measure from the center of the Helm, to the end of the tiller end....<br />Then go to the Helm... remove the steering wheel(as stated in another post on this board).... Remove the complete Helm unit, then feeding All the cable out that way......<br />Reinstall the New Helm,+ cable the same way... From the Helm, to the transom.....<br />Complete Helm,+ Cables are dirt cheap... I wouldn't Even Try to Service the Cable alone.....