Drum Cable System Steering

[HighRidgeJoe]

I have a 1963 Starcraft Scout...It has the Drum Cable set up for steering..I noticed it doesnt have enough screws to attach it to the dash from underneath..so its a bit loose/shaky..I am gonna fix that problem but the steering seems a bit tight..cables seem to be in good shape..the wheel turns but with extra effort....The pulleys are in tact and move ok...does the cable need any lubrication anywhere on them? The cable on the drum seems ok...
If lubrication is needed..what are the grease points?

Thanks


joe t

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Drum Cable System Steering

If the steering binds and is hard to turn, you should check the full length of the cables and the pulleys...make sure the pulleys turn freely, are not cracked or damaged and are secure to the boat. The cable should ride down in the pulley groove...must be the right diameter...and there should be no breaks in plastic sheathing if it has that. Anchor the drum/retainer to eliminate the slop and maybe grease the shaft that the steering wheel attaches to. Could be that your cables are too tight at the outboard, or something is bound up at a pulley.

 

[HighRidgeJoe]

Re: Drum Cable System Steering

There doesnt seem to be anything bound up..I drilled 2 holes and attached screws to stablizie the steering wheel. Its still takes extra effort to turn the wheel...The cables are the correct length and not stuck on the wheels..the wheels turn ok...I think its just at the steering wheel....Trying to find a diagram for the steering wheel...

If I were to change the entire system..what kind of steering system would be acceptable?

Thanks
joe t

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Drum Cable System Steering

Depends on your motor and the connection it requires. There are rack steering systems and rotary systems, even power steering on larger boats. Most people go with the rotary systems. Have you disconnected the pulley system from your outboard and moved it side to side to see if it is the outboard or the steering wheel? If the motor turns freely, you might just need to inject some grease/lube along the steering shaft at the helm. Most of those systems are just a plain shaft riding in a sleeve of some kind. Those sleeves deteriorate with age. The slop you notice may be a botched attempt to fix/repair by the previous owner, or maybe the sleeve has disintegrated.

 

[HighRidgeJoe]

Re: Drum Cable System Steering

Thanks for the help...While trying to remove the steering wheel I decided to instead just spray some lube behind the wheel by way of the holes in the center of the steering wheel...well it loosened it up a bunch ...makes some rubbing noises but it loosened it up enough to where I feel safer with needing to make quick turns if needed....
Thanks

joe t