Tru Course or No??

[Snivley]

Okay, I know there are other threads covering Tru Course steering, and the maintenance of the cables and gears. Let me start by saying I plan on pulling the drive and greasing everything. My steering has recently started being a bit stiff and I thought perhaps doing as the other post read and greasing up the steering would be a first jumping off point. I open my manual and the steering cable and drums I have look nothing like the manual or other Tru Course cable images I am finding online. Could it be that this is just an early version of Tru Course or do I have a different system all together? I have always assumed it was Tru Course as that is what the previous owner told me. The boat is a 69 Evinrude with a 72 155 Buick. I know parts were mixed and matched when rebuilt but it was well before I purchased the boat. Any help identifying it is appreciated. I assume the internal gearing will be the same as everything else looks correct but am hesitant to start without knowing exactly what I am looking at. These are shots of what my manual shows, under the helm, and in the stern.

 

[jerryjerry05]

No true course here.
The oldest kind of steering here.
The stiffness is the drive.
Get the grease gun out.

 

[southkogs]

Sorry Snivley ... I'm glad Jerry knew, 'cuz I'd been looking for a day or two trying to figure out what you had. I had never seen it before ... and I thought I had an old steering set! Wow.

 

[jerryjerry05]

My first boat a 16ft alum with a 40Johnson I think it was a 66Starcraft.
It had that steering. No maint. and the only thing that would happen is the covered cable would slip off the pulley if the cable got too much slack.

 

[Snivley]

Thank you all. I have ordered another manual since I am finding a few differences between my set up and the one my manual covers. Going to invest in a parts catalog and a true shop manual. I am going to go thru the entire cable run and then make sure everything is greased really well.

 

[Snivley]

I went thru and greased all the pulleys and drums. There was a spot in the stern where the cable was "sawing" a channel in the foam next to the battery. I made a modification to allow the cable to pass freely without rubbing. I was hesitant to pull the drive and steering shaft until my manual arrives. Wondering if there is a nylon bushing in it. My guess is also that the steering will be stiff just based on the design since it is truly not Tru-Course. Has anyone ever converted this type of steering to tru-course, or am I better off staying with what I have due to lack of readily available parts?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Use what you have.
Not sure what the older style drive had for a steering hookup.
Pics?

 

[southkogs]

I'm pretty sure Tru Course would have been available in '69. If you've got the gears in the upper gear case for the steering, it may not be too difficult. But that's pretty suppositional from me ... I don't have any direct knowledge.

 

[Snivley]

After much more investigating I have decided to stick with what I have. I am going to replace all the bushings in the stern. The cost to make it right with what I have should just be a fraction of the cost to convert as I do not believe I have the gearing in my upper. I had no issues with it being tight when I first bought it, so I am going on the assumption I can get it back there. cables are in the pulleys and nothing is grabbing. All thats left is the stern and helm. I will post pictures as I go thru the process for anyone else who may have the cable drum system. Unfortunately there is not a whole lot out there in the way of pictures. Tru Course seems to be very well covered. Can't wait for my year correct shop manual to arrive. Any day now.

 

[Snivley]

No Title

Removed the steering shaft today. 100% Cable and drum set up. It was held in with a locking screw and 1 Spirol pin. That pin is EASY to overlook. It is towards the back of the drum on the small collar. I am posting pics for others reference should anyone else ever have the same problem. It appears my issue was a broken rear nylon bushing, and a few missing washers. Perhaps someone in past tried to do some work on it and it did not go back together as it should have. Hope this help someone in future.

 

[Snivley]

No Title

Here are a few pictures of the shaft and bushings (rear is broken) and spiral pin, etc.