Steering Wheel Locked Up

T

Tinjum

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Bought an 1987 Alumacraft Phantom v170 and the steering wheel is locked up, am able to move the steering cable in and out of the tilt tube but still locked up, think might be a bad gear box? bad cable? Would like some thoughts on it and if anyone can help.
 
Scott Danforth

Scott Danforth

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Cables last about 15-20 years. Buy a new helm and cable
 
redneck joe

redneck joe

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Not sure about tilt on a boat, not that rich but if you can remove the cable from the back of the wheel, inside the helm, and the wheel Don turn that tells you the cable is good.
 
T

Tinjum

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redneck joe said:
Not sure about tilt on a boat, not that rich but if you can remove the cable from the back of the wheel, inside the helm, and the wheel Don turn that tells you the cable is good.
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Haven’t removed it from the helm/back of wheel yet, doesn’t budge in there so gotta take it all apart.
 
redneck joe

redneck joe

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OK, and I'm NOT the expert but it is mechanical so I default to taking things apart. I'd start at the engine and work back. Others will want to know what kind so a pic from under the helm will help. Also, how long has it sat not being used.
 
dwco5051

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Step one: Disconnect cable from steering arm on motor. Will the motor turn freely both directions by hand? Hopefully it does because often freeing up a motor that will not turn in its bushings can be a lot more work than replacing a cable and helm.

Step two: Will the wheel now turn freely with the motor linkage disconnected? If not it is either the cable or the helm. Purchased as a set (helm and cable together) doesn't cost much more than either one separate. They are 38 years old and some of the manufacturers have either merged or gone under and it may not be possible and the exact matching part my not be available. The last boating accident I investigated before I retired was due to a half-a$$ repair to an old helm that failed within a year.
 
T

Tinjum

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dwco5051 said:
Step one: Disconnect cable from steering arm on motor. Will the motor turn freely both directions by hand? Hopefully it does because often freeing up a motor that will not turn in its bushings can be a lot more work than replacing a cable and helm.

Step two: Will the wheel now turn freely with the motor linkage disconnected? If not it is either the cable or the helm. Purchased as a set (helm and cable together) doesn't cost much more than either one separate. They are 38 years old and some of the manufacturers have either merged or gone under and it may not be possible and the exact matching part my not be available. The last boating accident I investigated before I retired was due to a half-a$$ repair to an old helm that failed within a year.
Click to expand...
The motor moves freely once disconnected but not the steering wheel.
 
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