Tahoe Q4 Steering Cable Length

[blued]

Hi all,

I have a 2008 Tahoe Q4 with the Mercruiser V6 TKS and Alpha One. It's the 19'5" version, not the slightly shorter newer version.

The issue is the steering is very stiff to turn. The belt is good and I spent the best part of an hour working blind to remove the cotter pin and disconnect the steering rack from the drive yesterday - the outdrive moves freely. I suspect the issue is the cable, but will remove it from the steering rack before ordering.

I'm just wondering if anyone can advise the cable length that I need? It's a single cable and runs down the starboard side. Access is good, but not good enough to reliably measure, and I'd prefer not to remove it before I have the new part if possible. I'm pretty sure I'll need to order it from overseas or the other side of the country (Australia) so want to minimise time off the water.

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[blued]

I hadn't noticed the sticky at the top about measuring, thought I had to measure the cable itself.

I wasn't 100% on where I should be taking the following measurement to:

Measure from gunwale to the center line of the cable connection at engine.

Wheel centre to gunwale - 46cm (18.11")
Dash to transom - 305cm (120")
Gunwale to centre (stern drive connection, drive centred) - 100cm (39.37")
Gunwale to big nut on cable end - 60cm (23.62")

So 411cm (161.81" / 13.5ft) or 451cm (177.55" / 14.8ft) depending where the measurement should be to?

 

[blued]

Sorry to reply to my own post again, I tried to edit but it doesn't show up:

Having spoken to a local Mercruiser dealer it sounds like cables aren't available here, they've said I'll probably need to replace everything. Hopefully someone can advise if it's possible using overseas parts?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... I guess ya should start lookin', Here,.....

 

[Scott Danforth]

Teleflex and Sea Star print not only the length, however the part number of the cable about every 8" or so on the cable.

 

[blued]

Thanks for the replies, it's a Teleflex system with the black box behind the dash. It says on the box that disassembly could result in complete steering failure so I'm guessing I have to replace that as well?

It's this one - http://www.seastarsolutions.com/products/mechanical-steering/hps-rack-pinion-steering/

I've seen Teleflex cables for sale over here but have only found one site that has this complete unit and have emailed for a price.

There is a similar looking system made by Ultraflex:

https://www.arnoldsboatshop.com.au/tm86-rack-pinion-cable.html?id=23812876&quantity=1

Not cheap at $438 AUD!

My cable has "Made by Teleflex Inc" or similar printed on it at intervals but not a size as far as I can see.

 

[Bondo]

It says on the box that disassembly could result in complete steering failure so I'm guessing I have to replace that as well?

Ayuh,.... Correct,....

 

[Scott Danforth]

teleflex sold off the cable division to Sea Star solutions and the gauge division to VeeThree about 6 years ago

so for your teleflex system, look to sea star.

there should be printing on the cable, however in the event there isnt, pull the cable and measure.

 

[blued]

I tried to remove the cable earlier and when I turned the large nut the cable twists, I assume it shouldn't, but on part of the cable I couldn't previously see a part number was revealed - SC13415 TELEFLEX.

So a 15ft cable for anyone else that stumbles across this thread. A quick search suggests I may have to order from overseas.