hard steering

sunbird1990

Cadet
Joined
Apr 1, 2012
Messages
18
Bought this boat for fun knowing that it needed some repair. New tilt piston, stringers, Floor, seats and now the cable. Is there any way to repair/rehab a teleflex rack and pinion steering cable?
 

finger

Seaman
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
51
Re: hard steering

purely 2nd hand info,

but i have heard that people have had success with forcing ATF fluid into the cable will help, i found it easier to just replace the entire steering system.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,762
Re: hard steering

Bought this boat for fun knowing that it needed some repair. New tilt piston, stringers, Floor, seats and now the cable. Is there any way to repair/rehab a teleflex rack and pinion steering cable?

nope
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: hard steering

It should be replaced BUT you can get some lube in it and maybe get some more time out of it but you almost have to remove it from the boat.

Susupend one end from a rafter in your garage, take a heavy plastic bag and poke a hole in the corner , stick the cable end through that and get a light oil in the bag and let it sit overnight, gravity will make the oil run throught the cable.

After you are done with that start saving your pennies for a new one and I would reccomend a Telelfex NFB rotary, they are great.
 

riptorn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 8, 2012
Messages
433
Re: hard steering

I had the same problem. I tackled it today by raising the noise of the boat as high as I could get it (with the cable at the engine disconnected) I squirted oil into the cable at the steering ratchet gear (turned in all the way in). Worked the steering back and forth slowly then did the same with WD40. Let it sit for the day.
A lot better now. Take note that every nut and bolt around the steering assembly could be loose. And it was! I had to use a garden hose washer to tighten up the steering wheel because the fitting specs were off.
 

cr2k

Captain
Joined
Mar 19, 2009
Messages
3,730
Re: hard steering

Marine cables are NOT made to be lubed. If it is stiff it is damaged. By lubing it you only delay the time it will fail, do you want your family in the boat going across the lake when it fails?
 

riptorn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 8, 2012
Messages
433
Re: hard steering

Oh I don't know about that cr2k. I just sold my Silverline 165 inline and when I bought it the steering was stiff on it. I did the same thing to it and it lasted 5 years plus because when I sold it It couldn't believe how easy the wheel turned compared to the outboard I just bought. Teleflex is not as bad as you think.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,137
Re: hard steering

Marine cables are NOT made to be lubed. If it is stiff it is damaged. By lubing it you only delay the time it will fail, do you want your family in the boat going across the lake when it fails?

Ayuh,.... Ditto that,... Cable, 'n helm kits are reasonably Cheap besides.....
 

riptorn

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 8, 2012
Messages
433
Re: hard steering

Ya, but for now I can go out and buy quite a few cases of beer and enjoy watching somebody changing one.:)lol
Probably change it next time though.
 

sunbird1990

Cadet
Joined
Apr 1, 2012
Messages
18
Re: hard steering

hey thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to try and lube it up and we'll see what happens. I'll let you know.
 
Top