Teleflex steering cable replacement?

[nola mike]

Need to replace the cable on my '04 25 hp Merc. Saw a faint teleflex marking on the cable, so looks like I need a teleflex rotary replacement. Couple of questions.
1. There appears to be a quick connect and threaded fitting. Not sure which I have. It isn't obvious to me how to remove this thing.
2. This is a side console boat. I'd like to measure the cable using a piece of string. Where on the outboard do I use as a starting point?
3. Is this what I need?
https://www.iboats.com/shop/catalog...ns-safe-t-quick-connect-cable/category/13161/

 

[nola mike]

Ok, well that was embarrassingly easy. Insert screwdriver into hole, pull cable, turn wheel. So the cable was pretty gunked up and stiff. I just cleaned the old grease off and relubed. Made a huge difference. The helm was also stiff. I sprayed some brake cleaner in it, shook and dumped and then sprayed in some lithium grease. Made a big difference but there's room for improvement. There's a strongly worded discouragement against disassembly on the back, but is it possible? Otherwise might soak it in solvent and shoot more grease into it.

 

[nola mike]

Has nobody tried rehabbing one of these helm units? Seems like it should be an easy thing to do, but google is strangely silent on the topic. Right now I think that if I put it back on the steering would be vastly improved, and probably OK. I don't want to break it by taking it apart incorrectly...

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Cables, 'n helms are considered Non-serviceable parts,......

If I've gotta take 1 apart, I buy a new "Kit", helm, 'n cable,.....

 

[nola mike]

Yeah, I know the advice. However I don't think any of the components are worn. And I can't believe that nobody has tried the helm despite that. There's lots on the web about re-greasing the cable, that seems a lot less likely to work.The cable is now pretty smooth just by cleaning/greasing the exposed part. The helm is also MUCH smoother with what I've done. I don't see the harm of at least dunking the helm to loosen the old crud and spraying some grease in it. Before I needed vice grips and a heavy hand to move the cable and helm--now both move by hand. I won't risk breaking anything by trying to take it apart I guess, even though I really want to. Either way I'm going to reinstall and see how she does.

 

[fatlaz]

How did it work?

 

[GA_Boater]

How did it work?

Not tested yet, so it's too early to tell. Right, Mike?

Mike's helm work doesn't work for you. He has rack & pinon model with one gear and the cable rack. You have a rotary with three idler gears and one drive gear. A completely different animal with more parts to go bad.

 

[nola mike]

Actually I have a rotary model as well. I've been preoccupied with stripping a junk hull, so haven't got back to this. Likely this weekend. I'll post an update when I get it back in.

 

[nola mike]

Just an update, the steering works great. After a carb rebuild and starter replacement, the boats finally running. Still need to clean up some wiring and figure out how to clean out and regrease the tilt tube...