Teleflex No-Feedback Steering Adjustment

[Slide]

My '79 Hydrostream Viking has a Mariner 150 outboard and a Teleflex no-feedback steering system (dual cables). It's a recently installed system and the no-feedback works great (tracks 100% straight at idle), but there is a TON of tension in the steering. It takes two hands to turn the wheel hard over at speed, particularly when turning to port. It's also really tense at idle, making low-speed maneuvering pretty difficult.

I don't know much about these steering systems, but is there a way to adjust the steering to relieve some of the tension and make it easier to drive?

 

[Slide]

Re: Teleflex No-Feedback Steering Adjustment

Bump. Anyone?

 

[southkogs]

Re: Teleflex No-Feedback Steering Adjustment

Some helms have a tension adjust knob on them. If that's not turned too tight, how does the outboard turn when not hooked up? Might even be that it is too loose.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Teleflex No-Feedback Steering Adjustment

First thing to do is disconnect the cables from the motor. Then ensure the motor can turn easily and freely. Then check each cable. Cables are not normally serviceable. Replacement may be necessary.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Teleflex No-Feedback Steering Adjustment

It is the torque of the motor running at speed. If you lower the motor one mounting hole you will be able to turn to port easier.

Read the 1st post in the testing I did in 2006 http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=177235&highlight=Test

 

[Slide]

Re: Teleflex No-Feedback Steering Adjustment

It is the torque of the motor running at speed. If you lower the motor one mounting hole you will be able to turn to port easier.

Read the 1st post in the testing I did in 2006 http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=177235&highlight=Test

I figured the ease of hauling over to starboard was due to prop torque. Guess I'm just spoiled by the power steering in the Maxum! Better get in the gym and work on my forearms...

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Teleflex No-Feedback Steering Adjustment

How hard is it to "steer" while sitting still? It is definitely possible to have dual cables misadjusted to the point that they make it difficult to steer. The idea behind dual cables is that one cable is under slight tension and the other is under slight compression so that there's virtually zero slop in the cables. You adjust them by turning the adjustment on one cable until the steering gets tight and then back off just enough to take out the excess friction.

If your only problem is that it's hard to turn in just one direction then yes, the trim tab on the lower unit needs to be adjusted. If there's not enough adjustment available you might need to add a torque tab to the skeg. You'll never be able to adjust out steering torque at all speeds, set it for the speed you operate at the most and deal with the need for a little muscle at other speeds.

 

[Slide]

Re: Teleflex No-Feedback Steering Adjustment

How hard is it to "steer" while sitting still? It is definitely possible to have dual cables misadjusted to the point that they make it difficult to steer. The idea behind dual cables is that one cable is under slight tension and the other is under slight compression so that there's virtually zero slop in the cables. You adjust them by turning the adjustment on one cable until the steering gets tight and then back off just enough to take out the excess friction.

If your only problem is that it's hard to turn in just one direction then yes, the trim tab on the lower unit needs to be adjusted. If there's not enough adjustment available you might need to add a torque tab to the skeg. You'll never be able to adjust out steering torque at all speeds, set it for the speed you operate at the most and deal with the need for a little muscle at other speeds.

It's still pretty tight when stationary or moving at low speed (i.e. docking). I did notice that one of the cables is EXTREMELY tense while the other is relatively relaxed, while sitting with the motor off at dead center.

I definitely agree with your assessment on adjusting the anode tab; I'll play around with that and try to get some improvement out of it.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Teleflex No-Feedback Steering Adjustment

It's still pretty tight when stationary or moving at low speed (i.e. docking). I did notice that one of the cables is EXTREMELY tense while the other is relatively relaxed, while sitting with the motor off at dead center.

Sounds like they're not adjusted properly. I hope I'm making sense on how they should be adjusted - basically when you're sitting still one cable should be pulling and the other should be pushing (ever so slightly each way) but the steering should be free.

ALSO, it would be a good idea to disconnect the cables to verify that the engine turns freely by itself, and that the steering wheel turns freely. If there's any significant friction with the steering cables disconnected you've located a problem.

 

[Slide]

Re: Teleflex No-Feedback Steering Adjustment

Sounds like they're not adjusted properly. I hope I'm making sense on how they should be adjusted - basically when you're sitting still one cable should be pulling and the other should be pushing (ever so slightly each way) but the steering should be free.

ALSO, it would be a good idea to disconnect the cables to verify that the engine turns freely by itself, and that the steering wheel turns freely. If there's any significant friction with the steering cables disconnected you've located a problem.

Got it. Where are the adjustments on the cables? I assume in the back where they connect to the motor?

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Teleflex No-Feedback Steering Adjustment

Got it. Where are the adjustments on the cables? I assume in the back where they connect to the motor?

Yes. Exactly how you adjust them is going to depend on the engine, I believe. On mine only one cable is adjusted, and that's done by forcing the tube to move one way or the other with jamb nuts. Yours may be different.