Steering Cable

[brielly]

The boat I just purchased has a frozen steering cable or so I thought. I removed the nut and was able to pull the cable parttly out of the tilt tube. The wheel moves when I do this so I guess the cable is fine. This leaves the metal bar that runs though and out the port side of the tilt tube as the culprit. I was under the impression that this was attached to the steering cable but if I can pull the cable out I guess it isn't. Can someone explain to me how the steering opertes if this is not attached to the cable or am I missing something? Anyway I plan to hit the metal bar with a propane torch tommow to hopefully get it to move.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering Cable

or am I missing something?

Ayuh,...... It seems that you Are......

The Steel Bar is in fact the End of the steering Cable......

 

[F_R]

Re: Steering Cable

Yep, you gotta get the cable end out of the tube and clean the rust out of the tube, then re-lube with some good marine grease. It's a regular preventative maintenance item that obviously has been ignored. Some (many) boats don't have enough room to get the cable out without unbolting and lifting the motor off the transom. That also encourages ignoring the required maint. But it has to be done or suffer the consequences.

 

[jpullin]

Re: Steering Cable

Had the same problem once and was told by the marine mech not to grease the shaft but to put some light oil on it after every use. Grease tends to catch dirt and will gum up and make things worse. Oil can be wiped off every time. I use an oil soaked rag and wipe the shaft when I clean my boat.