Steering LOSS!!!

[brownhunter]

I have a 2004 25hp bigfoot on a15ft boat. Today my steering when out, well half way. If I turn the boat to the left all the way it's fine, then starting all the way from the left I then turn it to go right it will work, until the motor is dead center, once it gets there I lose steering all togther(steering wheel spins freely either direction) unless I go to the motor and push it by hand til it moves the steering wheel. Basicly the boat won't turn right at all. What happened? anyone got any ideas?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

Not a motor issue. Sounds like your helm and cable assembly has come undone. Either teeth have come off the pinion or the cable is broken.

 

[brownhunter]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

Not a motor issue. Sounds like your helm and cable assembly has come undone. Either teeth have come off the pinion or the cable is broken.

I was just out there, I very slowly turn the wheel to the right, the motor followed all the way but once it got to the limit, it wouldn't come back to the left, wheel started spinning freely again.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

You need a new helm steering box and cable.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

Time to order a new system....... Glad you did not get hurt. The prices have come way down over the years Boat Steering Systems - iboats

 

[brownhunter]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

OMG a $1000 or so!!!! am i even looking at the right page? Which one do I need? :-(

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

OMG a $1000 or so!!!! am i even looking at the right page? Which one do I need? :-(

lol no its not that much. Firstly just to be sure yours is a cable steering and not hydraulic steering. If its a cable you will have to remove the cable unless the manufacture is still about and can tell you the length of it. Once you have the length you can order a new cable that comes with the steering box attached to it.

 

[brownhunter]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

This is what I got.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

The cable comes with the helm assembly. But you may not have to change the cable yet. That pin is the release key.Remove it and press it into the hole and turn the wheel until it is all the way out. When the cable manually move the motor all the way each way to ensure the cable is good.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

His is more along the lines of what you need. Depending on exactly what you need.

Complete Boat Rotary Steering Kits - iboats

 

[brownhunter]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

The cable comes with the helm assembly. But you may not have to change the cable yet. That pin is the release key.Remove it and press it into the hole and turn the wheel until it is all the way out. When the cable manually move the motor all the way each way to ensure the cable is good.

I am not sure what your last sentence is saying? Also so I use the key and press it into the hole(hole the cable was in?) and turn the wheel until the key comes out? how do i test if the cable is good? thanks

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

I am not sure what your last sentence is saying? Also so I use the key and press it into the hole(hole the cable was in?) and turn the wheel until the key comes out? how do i test if the cable is good? thanks

The hole in question is the one in picture #3 near the end of the loop of the pin. Remove the pin, put it in the hole, press down hard and pull on the cable sheath to release it. Then turn the steering wheel to release the cable from the helm mechanism. With the cable free, by manually turning the motor, you can determine if the cable is OK. To release it from the motor, you usually have to lift the motor or move it away from the cable.
I am suggesting this only because changing out the cable can be a PITA.

 

[brownhunter]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

Ok thanks so much so far with your help!! so i removed the cable from the helm under the dash, I didn't have to turn the wheel because it was already unconnected from the cable and spinning freely. I then had the wife move the motor to the left and right. The cable went in and out of the sheath no problem. Now what?

 

[brownhunter]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

Could it of just slipped out and needs to be re put back in? to put it back in the helm do i turn the motor til all cable is sticking out of sheath? and see if it works proberly again?

 

[brownhunter]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

Bump. Jeep man help me bro!!! or anyone else!

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

Put the end of the cable back in.Turning the steering wheel "should" thread the cable. If it doesn't, likely the interior of the helm mechanism is stripped and will need replacing. If it does thread in, thread it in all the way, push the pin into the hole, then push on the cable sheath. It should lock into the helm casing.

 

[brownhunter]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

oK. So i put the cable back in. I am still getting the same results. I am going to post a link to my youtube in a few, I am uploading a video of what its doing.

 

[brownhunter]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

IMGP4877 - YouTube

 

[Outsider]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

Might be the cable, might be the helm. Replace the whole thing ... :facepalm:

 

[brownhunter]

Re: Steering LOSS!!!

I removed the helm and found it was the wire that broke. The rest of the wire was inside the helm! When I get the new wire, do i need to remove the whole sheath or can I run the new wire thru the old sheath?