Steering Wheel Locked Up

[Tinjum]

Bought an 1987 Alumacraft Phantom v170 and the steering wheel is locked up, am able to move the steering cable in and out of the tilt tube but still locked up, think might be a bad gear box? bad cable? Would like some thoughts on it and if anyone can help.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Cables last about 15-20 years. Buy a new helm and cable

 

[redneck joe]

So wheel is locked? How can you be moving the cable?

 

[Tinjum]

So wheel is locked? How can you be moving the cable?

Can move it around in the tilt tube and out of it?

 

[redneck joe]

Not sure about tilt on a boat, not that rich but if you can remove the cable from the back of the wheel, inside the helm, and the wheel Don turn that tells you the cable is good.

 

[Tinjum]

Not sure about tilt on a boat, not that rich but if you can remove the cable from the back of the wheel, inside the helm, and the wheel Don turn that tells you the cable is good.

Haven’t removed it from the helm/back of wheel yet, doesn’t budge in there so gotta take it all apart.

 

[redneck joe]

OK, and I'm NOT the expert but it is mechanical so I default to taking things apart. I'd start at the engine and work back. Others will want to know what kind so a pic from under the helm will help. Also, how long has it sat not being used.