Steering over $ 300 ...Help!

[dakk1]

1986 17' Stratos Fish and Ski with 1985 Merc 150<br /><br />The steering on this boat is STIFF and I'm sure needs replaceing but its a dual cable rack and pinion and the closest replacement I can find is a Teleflex SS152 at $ 300 ++. And thats on-line. I can imagine what my local dealer would charge. <br /><br />Question: What would be wrong with a more econmical single cable rack and pinion or even a rotary system. And I need it yesterday!<br />Thanks Again!

 

[trumpetbucks]

Re: Steering over $ 300 ...Help!

Well, if you need it yesterday I'm afraid you're gonna pay what you're gonna pay, unless you get lucky and find one on eBay (have you checked?).<br /><br />I'm not sure about redoing the whole steering system to a cheaper type, but you may end up having to also buy linkage arm or some other connecting parts as well. Hopefully somebody can "steer" you in the right direction with more specifics than what I can.<br /><br />Good luck! (sure hope you don't have to pop out that $300!)

 

[JasonB]

Re: Steering over $ 300 ...Help!

Anything with 150+ HP or 50mph+ these days carries a dual cable recommendation for safety.<br /><br />I would disassemble the steering at the motor end and clean/grease it befor replacing. You might get lucky.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Steering over $ 300 ...Help!

I was about to replace mine until I cleaned it thoroughly and now it is great.Instead of grease,I sprayed One Lube on the arm and retracted it into the tube and then out again and wiped it with a paper towel.I reapplied the spray lube and repeated the steering wheel turn from one side to the other wiping clean and reapplying lube on the arm.I did this no less than 30 times.It kept getting easier and easier.At one point I did not even have to use the wheel to turn the motor.I just pushed it from side to side.This saved a lot of time.I did not use grease again.I now spray the arm each time I use the boat and it works great.I tried this with wd40 before and it did not work.The righ lube spray and the cleaning seem to be the key.

 

[dakk1]

Re: Steering over $ 300 ...Help!

UPDATE<br /><br />Thanks to BoatProject, JasonB and crazy charlie for the input. I disconnected the cables at the motor and found that one was binding pretty bad to the point where it was starting to seperate at the front steering tube. Front steering tube itself broke in half when I removed it so it was not far from failing. The other cable seemed OK. Upon inspection the steering mechanism itself seems Ok so I decided to replace the two cables. They are $120 ea. + tax (ouch!) at local marine dealer but will be here tomorrow. One of the mechanics did find a steering tube in the back and gave it to me so that helped. Thanks again!

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Steering over $ 300 ...Help!

I read about a trick that may help others ... fill a bag with diesel fuel and secure it around the end of the cable, and hang it up ... gravity will allow the diesel fuel, which is an oil, to run down the cable, lubricating it ... I did something along those lines years ago with kerosene, worked ok, but apparently diesel is a better solvent<br /><br />eh, why not, if it works, yer golden, if not, its 240 bucks anyway, a half gallon of diesel is less than a dollar