Terry Boat helm

[jime83]

Brand new to the forum and just bought my first boat. Bought a 1977 Terry abf 4.6 and the steering cable is shot. I have the cable and helm out of the boat and am now just looking for suggestions for a replacement. The best I can tell it looks like a rack and pinion but doesn't look like anything I see as a replacement. At the helm the cable runs into a tube and in that tube it attaches to another tube with teeth. Can't imagine It's still the original helm but unsure. This is my very first boat and am looking for some knowledge. Don't know if the picture will help my poor explanation but any help is much appreciated.

 

[Grub54891]

Yup, old school rack and pinion. The newer ones are more of a flat bar in the rectangular housing.

 

[jime83]

So my next question would be when replace it with a new system should there be any problems with the steering wheel? The way the wheel is attached now it just had a pin through the shaft instead of a woodruff. But it looks like I could just install a woodruff on the new system. Any rack and pinion system should serve my purpose? A new helm and cable and I'll be back on the water?

 

[jime83]

Yet another question. Would the old rack and pinion system be worth anything to anyone doing a restoration? Minus the cable of course. I'd hate to toss it if someone has a use for it. Long stretch but figured worth asking.

 

[Grub54891]

you may have to replace the wheel also. Unless your current wheel has the slot for a key. You could have a keyway cut at a machine shop if you want to keep the wheel. Or see if they make a helm for your pin. Have a Pic of the wheel and pin?

 

[jime83]

The wheel does have a slot for a woodruff. In the picture on my initial post you can see the pin on the shaft of the helm. Just a hole through the shaft and a loose pin goes through and into the slot where a woodruff would be.

 

[GA_Boater]

The only value of the old R&P is what you can get for scrap.

 

[Grub54891]

Well then you should be good to go with a new rack.

 

[jime83]

Ordered it today should be here tomorrow. Here's to hoping it goes in easier than it came out.