Steering loss due to cracked spent travel tube?

[laurentide]

Greetings. I hope this is the correct forum for this question, as I posted this a few days ago in the Johnson section and only got a reply to post it here (thanks "boobie").

A few days ago I had the boat just a few hundred feet out in the lake when I heard a barely audible crack from under the helm. I was fortunately at idle speed. I saw shards of white plastic and the end of the steering cable was exposed due to a broken "spent travel tube." No steering as a result. My question is: would failure of this plastic tube cause steering loss? I ordered a replacement, but I'm wondering if this broken tube is the problem or if it may be a symptom of another problem within this 30 year old teleflex system. Also, is there a specific way to replace this part? Sorry, I'm OK with engines but I'm a complete imbecile with regard to this steering system. Many thanks in advance if anyone has advice or information. Cheers.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering loss due to cracked spent travel tube?

Greetings. I hope this is the correct forum for this question, as I posted this a few days ago in the Johnson section and only got a reply to post it here (thanks "boobie").

A few days ago I had the boat just a few hundred feet out in the lake when I heard a barely audible crack from under the helm. I was fortunately at idle speed. I saw shards of white plastic and the end of the steering cable was exposed due to a broken "spent travel tube." No steering as a result. My question is: would failure of this plastic tube cause steering loss? I ordered a replacement, but I'm wondering if this broken tube is the problem or if it may be a symptom of another problem within this 30 year old teleflex system. Also, is there a specific way to replace this part? Sorry, I'm OK with engines but I'm a complete imbecile with regard to this steering system. Many thanks in advance if anyone has advice or information. Cheers.

Ayuh,.... I'd think that plastic tube is irrelevant, 'n ya need a New helm, 'n cable kit....

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Steering loss due to cracked spent travel tube?

Dang!! Another local person to me!!

If you need help with the steering PM me. I will talk you through a cheaper repair then anything available from a marina!!!

Here is step 1 Disconnect the steering linkage rod and try the steering wheel....... now try moving the motor too. You need to evaluate if there is any binding and what seems responsible or is difficult to turn.

I have seen people "think" they have lost the steering when all that happened was cables got in the way.

Be forewarned that your motor will have to be unbolted and moved to remove the old cable.

You have a PM

 

[laurentide]

Re: Steering loss due to cracked spent travel tube?

Thanks for the reply, guys. I haven't yet had time (damn job) to really evaluate the situation. I will take your advice, Bob, and play around with the linkage first. I'd likely sell the thing for engine value before bringing it to a yard/marina for anything. More time than money and all that. If it looks like a need a new steering system I'll be back to this thread. Thanks again, and I'll let you know what I find.

EDIT: Just to clarify, the wheel moves fine, as does the engine. Just not in the connected right kind of way. I did get a little response out on the water by moving the wheel hard to starboard, so it's still connected and not seized. I'm obviously hoping my new $9 piece of plastic does the trick.

 

[laurentide]

Re: Steering loss due to cracked spent travel tube?

OK, so you were correct, Bond-o, in stating that the plastic piece was irrelevant. I'm still holding out hope that I may be able to fix the current system. Here's what going on now: If I physically move the engine (standing behind the boat) so it is turned all the way to the left (port side), I can turn it all the way back to hard right using the wheel. If, at this point, I attempt to steer back to left using the wheel, it just turns freely and the helm end of the cable starts to just come out of the tube end. However, if I go back and move the engine the wheel will turn with it while it goes back to hard port. So, basically, the wheel will move the engine to the right, and the engine will move the wheel to the left, but the wheel will just reel out the cable through the helm if I attempt to steer left. I don't know if this varies on different systems, but steering right (the direction that works) makes the cable push the rod that connects to the linkage at the engine. It won't pull the cable back to steer left.

So I know it's not seized, and I'd love to not have to move the engine to replace the cable. Is it possible that something within the helm itself has failed? Should I simply buy a new helm and replace it? Many thanks if anyone has any feedback (no pun intended) on this.

EDIT (for logic): I guess the cable is snapped...though I haven't confirmed this yet, it makes sense. The only response I get is when the cable is pushing the rod at the engine, and I could probably retract the whole thing through the helm right now.

TLDR: Duh.

So, aaah, good place to buy a new teleflex system?