Steering Cable Help

[Malcolm]

Does anyone know if this is as bad as it looks?

It's been this way for a while but I thought I better check it out [img size=500]http://www.australianfishing.com.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/2008_05_11_001_AFO.jpg

[bootyinblue]

Bad..... very bad.

Had the same thing in Sydney and the steering just gets harder and harder and then after the boat has beeb laid up for a while it jams, so you wrench the wheel to free it up and snap the cable or shear off teeth.

Didnt cost a great load to have it replaced and it was like fitting power steering!

[Nastymind]

Nah, she be right mate.

Just kidding.

It's well overdue.

When you buy your new ones, go for the better quality black cables.

I think they are graphite or carbon or something flash like that.

I changed mine not long ago and was advised to also get longer cables and make a big loop out of them before entering the engine cap.

This takes the pressure off stretching the cables when the engine tilts and steers.

I can post pics of my own in the morning if you like?

[Malcolm]

Thanks for the replies

It's still easy to steer but to lift the motor up and down it's getting stiff,would that be from the cable ?

[bootyinblue]

Possibly but wouldnt think it was the number 1 cause. Are you power tilt and trim or doing it by hand?

There is basically 1 rod that joins motor to transom bracket and its where the motor hinges. Pump in some grease via nipple on either side, or force it on the gaps by 'smoothing' it over the area with finger or soft spatula.

[faulked]

whilst the steering remains easy leave it be roll some tape over it to make it look tidy but keep an eye on ebay for now and look for a cheap one to replace it theres allways some one who has bought the wrong size cable if the gearbox thing feels loose get one of them to

the tilt problem may be solved by greasing the tilt tube on the engine mount you may have to stand there greasing and tilting to get it clean though 2 man 4 beer job that one
/>http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Teleflex-Steering-helm-and-11-5-ft-cable-Good-cond_W0QQitemZ230251323189QQihZ013QQcategoryZ158393QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem