steering cables

[rmg]

Is rotary steering the same as rack & pinon? Just got a boat that has been sitting for three years and the steering seems to be locked up. How do I figure out if I should replace the cables?

 

[snapperbait]

Re: steering cables

Hi rmg: Rotary and rack & pinion are different..<br /><br />If you have an outboard motor the cable may be frozen inside the support(tilt) tube on the motor... This is a common problem on boats used in saltwater....<br /><br /> To find out, unscrew the large nut that holds the cable to the motor and try to pull it out... If you cannot pull it out, try to turn the steering wheel... If the wheel turns and the cable moves away from the tube you'll know it's stuck in the tube... If nothing moves then it's time to replace the entire system.....<br /><br />I think you will find that replacing the entire system will be the best course of action... A replacement steering cable costs almost as muct as a complete system with a new helm and cable with hardware....<br /><br />Below are examples of both types of systems..<br /><br /> http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...0001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=5687 <br /><br /> http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...0001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=2700