steering cable

[escapade]

before i go and throw more parts at my project, the steering linkage doesn't move the motor, it comes throught the splash-well, if i disconnect from the motor the motor is able to move freely, does the cable need to be lubed? or is there a lock to keep it from moving?? it is a rotary steering system

 

[Realgun]

Re: steering cable

It depends on the make of the helm whether you can move the motor with the cable hooked up.

If you have a nofeedback helm moving the motor is a futile effort. It designed not to move except by using the steering wheel.

If the cable is just stiff did you try turning the helm with the cable unhooked from the motor?

On some helms there is a screw on the bottom to adjust tensoin. See if thats too tight.

You can grease the cable also.

Good Luck.

 

[redfury]

Re: steering cable

So, you can move the motor left and right when the cable is disconnected, but not when you connect it to the steering system.

If you cannot move the steering with the motor disconnected from the steering system, then you have a problem in the steering system. Either something broke loose under the dash, or you have a lot of drag in the cable.

I'd troubleshoot by leaving the system disconnected, then taking a bolt or whatever will give you some leverage on that cable end, and see if you can get it to move at all. If it doesn't move at all, then see if the steering wheel will move at all. If the cable has some slack, but the wheel won't move, then you may have a problem in the steering gearing.

It all depends on what you have for steering exactly as to whether you can service the whole thing or not.

 

[Mark42]

Re: steering cable

A common area for problems is where the cable passes through the motor through tube. Unscrew the large nut, and see if the cable moves in and out of the motor's through tube easily. If not, its probably rusted. The cable end is stainless steel. The through tube is usually steel and rusts. If the cable is stuck, try driving it out with a hammer and wood dowel.

If the cable does move easy in the through tube, then the cable is probably shot. They are generally a non-service item and just replaced.

 

[escapade]

Re: steering cable

the cable goes thru the splash well, and the steering wheel wont move either, i'll check for a tension screw and go from there, is there a write up on servicing the system?

 

[escapade]

Re: steering cable

i loosen'd the nut? that connects the cable to the sealed unit behind the helm, and it moves freely, so my steering unit seems to be in good shape, so it just seems to be cable, i noticed a marking saying 16ft? but that seem really long since the boat it self is 16ft?

 

[copeina]

Re: steering cable

Try this:

If there is some play in the cable, i.e. it isn't siezed completely - manually add bearing grease to each end of the cable and work it back and forth, adding more grease at each "maximum extension".

My dad had one that seemed completely siezed and was in the process of violently ripping the console from his boat by yanking on the wheel when I suggested that. It worked in a matter of minutes, and the heavy grease seems to have prevented any issues since (3 years now). Sometimes a little finesse goes a long way.

With this experience, I also wouldn't hesitate to recommend this as preventative maintenace for good cables rather than a silicone spray or whatever light oils most would use.

Good luck,
/Kris

 

[escapade]

Re: steering cable

i measured the entire cable from end to end and was approx 13ft, i'm gonna measure in the way the store suggests

when i removed the cable from the boat, it was completely jammed where the metal shaft that goes thru the splash well meets the cable jacket i poured on some W-D 40, and we will see what happens worse case just replace the cable itself

 

[escapade]

Re: steering cable

so the cable is completely toast tried just about everything but no good, when i measure the cable is it better to go bigger? as it would be kinda tight if i don't?

 

[victornator23]

hi i got a pantoon(not sure dats the way to spell it) boat with a mercury 90mp motor....the boat is an 84 model and the motor an 83....the steering cable bust so i need to find a new one, just dont know how...can some one guive me some help..like a link of the product i need so i can purchase it.... thanx people

hi i got a pantoon(not sure dats the way to spell it) boat with a mercury 90mp motor....the boat is an 84 model and the motor an 83....the steering cable bust so i need to find a new one, just dont know how...can some one guive me some help..like a link of the product i need so i can purchase it.... thanx people

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: steering cable

http://www.iboats.com/Boat_Controls_Steering/dm/category_id.8--view_id.8
rotary helm


rack helm

http://www.iboats.com/Boat_Controls_Steering/dm/category_id.8--view_id.8

 

[Jeffreyi]

Re: steering cable

I-have a question for Mark 42 re: his comment below----------------

A common area for problems is where the cable passes through the motor through tube. Unscrew the large nut, and see if the cable moves in and out of the motor's through tube easily. If not, its probably rusted. The cable end is stainless steel. The through tube is usually steel and rusts. If the cable is stuck, try driving it out with a hammer and wood dowel.

If the cable does move easy in the through tube, then the cable is probably shot. They are generally a non-service item and just replaced.
__________________
1965 MFG Niagara Custom, '92 40hp Evinrude Click here for MFG Video. Click here for MFG Project. Click here for the '85 Bayliner 1600 Hard Top Project

MY ISSUE:


I unscrewed the large nut. When I turn the steering wheel the cable moves fine. I can move the motor easily by hand. But the cylinder that the cable pushes against in the tube seems stuck. Also, I can't seem to separate it (cable) from from that cylinder (?).

Earlier, prior to taking off the nut I was able to pull (with much difficulty) to pull the cylinder to the right. I cleaned it and worked it back and forth and it seemed OK until I put everything back together. When I turned the steering wheel and the cylinder slide in everything seemed OK until I tried turning the wheel in the opposite direction. It wouldn't budge.

THANKS

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: steering cable

Honestly in my point of view I don't know if it is suggested that the cable should be a little stiff when turning the wheel or if the cable should move smoothly (like having power steering in a car) when turning the wheel. My system is just like the one shown in Tashasdady's post in the top picture.

I got a steering cable from my brother. It was a matter of my brother got the steering cable from the boat I have now way before I got this boat from his co-worker then I got the steering cable from my brother oddly enough. All though my brother claimed it was said to be a little stiff when he started to install it on his boat but the cable was not froze up. Well I don't know if it is recommended or not but I soaked the whole cable in a outside plastic garbage can filled half way full with diesel fuel for a few days, to help free it up more before I installed it on my boat. I also greased both ends of the cable before installing, along with the hole on the motor where the cable slips through. The steering is actually pretty smooth a little stiff but smooth and this is after I got everything installed and I can actually turn the wheel by using one arm.

Now I couldn't believe how stiff my uncles 2006 pro craft's steering was. I think that was a matter of the boat not being broke in my opinion.