Steering Only works one way

[peterpagnott]

This was not the best weekend on the water...More posts to come. My steering started to slip if I turned to port. Finally I lost all steering to port but still had starboard. Cable??

 

[peterpagnott]

Re: Steering Only works one way, HELP!!!

Re: Steering Only works one way, HELP!!!

OK, I took off the helm and the cable looks good to me. The helm had a cracked gear and that left some particles on the cable but the cable does not seem worn. Should I just replace the helm unit? or should I replace everything? (the motor is going to have to move to get the cable out. not enough clearance) Thanks for any help!!!

 

[Grizzlybear]

Re: Steering Only works one way

I had something similar. Change the helm unit, that's a given. But, undo the cable from the outboard itself, then try and physically move the motor left to right, even with a decent sized motor (I have 50hp) you should be able to move it with relative ease. If it's resisting stiffly then check the grease around the shaft that the motor rotates on. Pump new grease in, or if it's super cold and stuck, warm up the shaft with a hot air gun (i used an welding torch, use sparingly), then pump in new grease. I had mine loose and steering left/right in minutes. If the cable was sticking, due to resistance from the motor, it will have ripped the thread out of the helm. In summary, check the motor opposed to cable and what not.

 

[peterpagnott]

Re: Steering Only works one way

Thanks!

After reading some posts on iboats I'm thinking of upgrading to a dual cable unit. The motor is moving freely, so now I'm suspect of the entire sytem. does anyone know if it is possible to put a dual cable system on a 2003 150XL?

 

[j_martin]

Re: Steering Only works one way

Thanks!

After reading some posts on iboats I'm thinking of upgrading to a dual cable unit. The motor is moving freely, so now I'm suspect of the entire sytem. does anyone know if it is possible to put a dual cable system on a 2003 150XL?

Dual cable steering, preferably rack and pinion type, is minimum on a 150.

The second steering cable tube simply bolts onto the front of the tilt tube.

Morse dual rack NFB is what I would recommend.

hope it helps
John

 

[peterpagnott]

Re: Steering Only works one way

Thanks for the input, I am going to look at the Rack and Pinion. I pulled out the original cable last night and it seemed odd how it was run. It comes in from the transom and then does an immediate 180 degree turn around my oil tank. It then goes below the deck and up to the center console. When I replace it should I just run it up the gunwale into the console?

Thanks again for all the input

 

[j_martin]

Re: Steering Only works one way

Thanks for the input, I am going to look at the Rack and Pinion. I pulled out the original cable last night and it seemed odd how it was run. It comes in from the transom and then does an immediate 180 degree turn around my oil tank. It then goes below the deck and up to the center console. When I replace it should I just run it up the gunwale into the console?

Thanks again for all the input

Most steering cable failures are caused by improper routing. Straightest path, gentle bends are the rule. One relatively tight turn is allowed near the helm to deal with console layout.

hope it helps
John

 

[peterpagnott]

Re: Steering Only works one way

Thanks again, This site is awesome. I purchased whatever parts I could find just because of the help I got!!