Boat turns left... but not right any more

[eldog380]

Hi, I have a 17ft Scout SF with an old 88hp Johnson that has taught me (and continuing to) teach me a lot about the in's and out's of boating. the latest lesson is steering. I had the boat trailered and was turning the motor to get it straight after fixing a nicked fuel line and I felt a pop in the steering. from that point, I could turn the motor to the left, but when I turned it to the right then the steering wheel when turn freely but the motor was not turning at all. I have rotary steering (single cable). I've noticed that when I turn the motor as far left as possible then I can give it one more tug to the left and I hear another 'click'. From that point I can slooowly turn to the right and the motor will swivel with the steering as it should.

Knowing that I shouldn't take the boat out... well I did. At high speeds it was fine but at low speeds (no power steering) I couldn't turn right too hard without the steering wheel 'popping' and losing the steering to the right.

When I look at the rotary 'box' I turn the wheel either way and the cable threads through like it should... so why is it when I lose steering to the right that I have to go all the way to the left to hear that click that let's me know it's back on track? Does anyone know what's broken? What I need to buy? And some step action to fix it?

THANKS FOR ANYFEEDBACK!

 

[eldog380]

Re: Boat turns left... but not right any more

I'm seeing views but no takers??? Hey, I'm open to thoughts/ideas as well.

At this point I'm going to check the connection at the motor once again and see if it's something that I can fix without replacing the entire helm and cable. That said, I have seen that replacing one would be more economical to replace the whole thing... (even though the cable "looks" pretty good to me). The only thing that gets me is when I turn the wheel all the way (counter clockwise) until it clicks and then I can turn the engine to the right again... does anyone get that? what's 'catching'/not 'catching'?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Boat turns left... but not right any more

You either stripped a gear at the helm or on the cable at the helm end..... investigate and replace whats needed.

 

[eldog380]

Re: Boat turns left... but not right any more

thanks Bob! I didn't have time to look at it after work yesterday but I'm swinging by the boat later today and hopefully by Saturday at noon I'll have taken it apart, repaired/replaced, and get it working.

one more question: if I have to replace the cable then how the heck do you thread the new cable through the boat??? do I tie some parachute chord to the end of the old one, pull the old one through, and then pull the new cable through with the chord (like threading a needle)? would that work? this would be my first time.

 

[eldog380]

Re: Boat turns left... but not right any more

okay, steering is replaced and that was the easiest, most comprehendable work you can do on a boat. it's really not that hard for anyone who ever has to do it in the future and definitely look at the old posts. tashasdaddy and others were very helpful and straight forward. the best advice is to just do the whole kit... cable & helm... in one shabang.

thanks to those who answered my posts and pm's.

elliot

ps- it only took 2 hours... would've been quicker if the big lug nut wasn't rusted on.