Steering Issue: clicking-popping

[superwooter]

Hi,
I have a 1979 Champion 16' trihull boat with a 1978 Mercury 70hp. In the last 3 times I've taken it out, the steering to the right of center has become increasingly worse. Steering to the left is fine and from left back to center is fine. If I start turning to the right, it becomes very difficult and starts clicking or popping or just making some kind of noise and has become nearly impossible to turn past about a half turn in that direction. I've never addressed any steering issues with the boat but have reworked nearly every other portion of it. I feel confident I can fix it if I just knew which way to go with the repairs. I searched to forum and didn't come across anything that seemed similar enough to my issue.

Thoughts?

 

[64osby]

Re: Steering Issue: clicking-popping

Sounds like your stripping gears, might have to look at replacing the steering.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Steering Issue: clicking-popping

Either the cable is going bad, the rotary unit or the rack.

Steering cables and systems do not last forever and just go.......

Establish the type of system you have and "probably" be prepared to replace some parts. iboats carries the parts.....

 

[superwooter]

Re: Steering Issue: clicking-popping

Yeah, I figured on replacing some parts. Just wasn't sure which ones or what the individual parts are called. Also, I wanted to know if I could change to a rotary style steering. I don't think I have that style now. Under the console, there's a bar of some sort that's about 14" long. I'm not opposed to replacing the whole steering system, I just need to know how to determine what to buy.
Any suggestions?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Steering Issue: clicking-popping

You have a rack system. You should be able to easily change to a rotary as they take up less room than racks (horizontally. they are a bit "fatter"). You can get a complete system for your boat for around $120. Teleflex or Uflex. I installed a brand new Teleflex rack system in my last boat and a new Uflex rotary in my current boat. I found the rotary to have a little less slop.

 

[superwooter]

Re: Steering Issue: clicking-popping

One or two more questions and I think I'll have it figured out. What's the appropriate way to measure the length needed, and will it hurt to have one too long?