What other parts do I need for my steering?

[oldrudedude]

Hi,

I've had a boat given to me. Some steering parts were stripped out of it and all that's left of the steering is a bracket on the transom. And a grunion on the motor.(see pictures)

I have the opportunity to buy this steering cable for $50.(See picture)


I think there are other steering parts missing between the cable and the motor. Could someone please post a picture of what is on their boat (if it a similar system) so I can see what I have to find or make.

The boat is an early 70's 17.5 ft Crestliner Muskie. Engine is '72 Johnson 100hp.

Anyhelp appreciated

 

[oldrudedude]

Re: What other parts do I need for my steering?

Or what are the names of the parts so I can source them?

 

[escapade]

Re: What other parts do I need for my steering?

The cable should just attach to the helm depending if you got the correct cable for your helm.

 

[oldrudedude]

Re: What other parts do I need for my steering?

Are you saying the cable attaches to the motor with no other link between?

 

[Numlaar]

Re: What other parts do I need for my steering?

I have never seen anything like that bracket on the transom for steering... it almost looks homemade...

the assembly in your last picture is more of a "standard" type steering system. that is a rotary style helm (uses a notched gear in the end of the cable that goes around a gear in the helm).

the other end of the cable is designed to go through the tilt tube on the motor... what you have won't work with your motor without some sort of tilt tube for the cable end to go through...

The biggest issue i see with yours (and why someone may have rigged something up), is you have the steering arm on the outboard, but no steering tube through the tilt tube...(yours looks just like a standard bolt, very strange for that size outboard).

But yes, the "normal" system, also uses a third piece to connect the steering piece on the motor to the cable end. (see third pic)

I am not sure how you would go about getting the setup to work...

It should look like this:

Empty tilt tube:

Tilt tube with the steering cable in it:

Steering arm from motor to cable:

 

[Numlaar]

Re: What other parts do I need for my steering?

In thinking about this some more, it looks like you are going to need a steering tube you can bolt to the motor, then the steering link that will run between the arm on the motor and the cable end. (looks like you have that piece because you have a little ball joint on it).

I am sure there must be some bolt on steering tubes available (most likely to convert tiller motors to steering motors).

I'll do some research and see what I can come up with for you.

Maybe someone else can chime in that might be familiar with an older steering system that would have used that bracket, and that ball joint... just never seen it before, so can't help you with that. sorry

 

[Numlaar]

Re: What other parts do I need for my steering?

OK well I spent a few hours last night and today trying to figure this out for you, and I came up dry...

Sorry I just don't know steering systems outside of the norm that well... I am only familiar with the ones that go through the tilt tube...

Hopefully someone else can chime in...

Heres a link to iboats page that has something similar to that clamp thingy you have:

Clamp Block

Its the top item.

I'm still not quite sure how you would go about setting it up though... the clamp device looks like you could clamp a tube into it, (10th item down), and then run the steering cable in through the tube, and attach it directly to the motor without a steering link, because the clamps holds it out far enough from the transom, that you don't need the link because there's no offset... Attach the steering cable end, to the piece on your motor, and your good to go...

I am just not 100% sure how sturdy the clamp device would be for the tube... I wouldn't want it to fail for you.

But at least that gives you somewhere to start on figuring this out!

I wish you the best of luck with it!

Num

 

[oldrudedude]

Re: What other parts do I need for my steering?

Thanks for the help Numlaar. I don't think the transom bracket is homemade but it may have been designed for a purpose other than what I am assuming it was used for on this boat. The clamp has a shape such that it looks like it should clamp onto a ball shaped object. The steering arm that protrudes from the front of the motor has a small ball joint type thing to pivot on something. When I concidered these two items I assumed the stern end of the cable housing would be a ball (to be held by and pivot in the clamp) and that the stern end of the cable would be a rod protruding from the ball and connecting to the motor steering arm. Dunno. I think I'll make a trip to the boat wrecking yard tomorrow and so what I can find there.

 

[Numlaar]

Re: What other parts do I need for my steering?

maybe it clamps onto this then:

ball tube ??
Looks like this could be the "tilt tube" you would need, the cable would go through it, and connect to the front of the motor... ?

Sorry I wasn't more help, I really dont know steering out of what normally goes through the tilt tube...

I had figured one of the more knowlegdable guys would step in, but maybe not heheh

Just hate seeing a question go totally unanswered... I did the best I could for ya!

Good luck with it!

 

[oldrudedude]

Re: What other parts do I need for my steering?

Thanks for the help anyway. I'll look at a bunch of boat tomorrow for a broader perspective. I find it hard to believe I can't find a scematic of ANY steering system anywhere on the internet.