Teleflex Steering Questions

[ledzeppelin135]

Hey guys, I am at the point where I need a new steering system for my boat, and have some questions for you before I order it. I currently have an old Mercury ride-guide system from somewhere around the 60's and the whole system is nearly seized up and the cable is all dry rotted. I am looking at either the rotary Safe-T or the rack from Teleflex and am leaning towards the rotary system as it takes up less space and seems more efficent and smoother. I am worried about a couple things for the new Teleflex system. The first is the helm. I know the rack would fit but I would rather have the rotary safe-t system but I am unsure of the size of the helm that would be behind the dashboard. THis is an old fiberglass boat and there is only 5 inches at most of room from the top of the dash to the bottom of it where this helm would sit. I want to make sure that it would fit behind there with the cables and would not be exposed past where the dashboard stops. Secondly, I measured the old ride guide bezel and it looks to be about 4.25" wide in any direction, and I want to make sure the teleflex bezel would be the same size if not a little bit wider because I just painted my boat and do not want to have to paint the section that was behind the bezel. One more question is mounting the engine side of the cable. My current set up has the cable mounted to the splashwell via a sort of hanger similar to the one teleflex uses. I am wondering if I would be able to use this hanger for the teleflex set up or if I need a whole new one. I know this is a novel but I am also wondering if there is some sort of shaft converter from the modern 3/4" shaft to the vintage square shaft so I could use my original steering wheel. Thanks for taking the time to help me and I look forward to your help!

Thanks

-Chris

 

[ledzeppelin135]

Re: Teleflex Steering Questions

 

[Monterey Dreams]

Re: Teleflex Steering Questions

I have an old Safe-T on my project. I had to get very creative with mounting hardware, lack of funds and mounting to a motor that had the old pulley style to begin with. Please see my drydock thread pages 13 and 14 in my signature if you want. I seem to recall mounting the steering wheel bezel and the “gear box” being much larger than 5 inches. I had to get really creative to get it under my helm.
Dave

 

[ledzeppelin135]

Re: Teleflex Steering Questions

Thanks for the info, I am kind of trying to figure out how big it is underneath the dashboard. Anyone else have any input?

 

[Jon Sob]

Re: Teleflex Steering Questions

This is what I used in my MFG:

I had to cut the hole a little larger:

Plenty of room:

Connected right to my little old Merc:

 

[ledzeppelin135]

Re: Teleflex Steering Questions

how big would you say the bezel and the helm are?

 

[ledzeppelin135]

Re: Teleflex Steering Questions

and also what do i need to buy to connect the new system to the transom

 

[ledzeppelin135]

Re: Teleflex Steering Questions

ok so I measured it and it looks like I will have to go with a rack steering system. I am torn between teleflex and UFLEX systems. Any input on which is better? Also, my boat is left hand drive, will both of these systems be able to be mounted with the cable being routed down the left gunnel?