Installing steering cables...

[BassmanIU]

Looking for someone who wants to install new steering cables in my boat. I'll buy the cables and will be more than happy to throw in some cash. Let me know if you can help me out... I'm a new boat owner and clueless.

Corey

 

[Guest]

Corey............are your cables just getting tight or are they broken / damaged.

The reason I ask, if they are just getting tight, it's probably from lack of lubrication. If that's the case it's alot cheaper to have them greased. My local marine dealer has some type of fitting that will connect to the end of the cable and force grease thru the housing. Once they do that, the cables will operate just like new. I assume a dealer near you will have the same fitting.

Just thought I would mention this.
BB

 

[churly]

My partner and I replaced ours Friday night. Be sure to get the set up that has two racks and two cables. And I would have a mechanic do it. Glenn Gamble-622-5450 is who I would recomend. Tell him Churly sent ya.

 

[BassmanIU]

churly - 2/21/2007 4:28 PM

My partner and I replaced ours Friday night. Be sure to get the set up that has two racks and two cables. And I would have a mechanic do it. Glenn Gamble-622-5450 is who I would recomend. Tell him Churly sent ya.

Is that 706 or 423?

 

[BassmanIU]

BassinBob - 2/21/2007 4:12 PM

Corey............are your cables just getting tight or are they broken / damaged.

The reason I ask, if they are just getting tight, it's probably from lack of lubrication. If that's the case it's alot cheaper to have them greased. My local marine dealer has some type of fitting that will connect to the end of the cable and force grease thru the housing. Once they do that, the cables will operate just like new. I assume a dealer near you will have the same fitting.

Just thought I would mention this.
BB

Not sure...I haven't even had the boat out yetemoLaugh

Is that something a marine dealer can check before replacing?

 

[Guest]

It should be something they can check. Generally speaking, if the cable is not broken or kinked, it's normally just be a lubrication issue. You should be able to check it yourself. Simply have someone slowly turn the steering wheel and look to see if both cables are moving, both direction. (look at the connection at the steering wheel and at the motor)

 

[TheFisherman]

After a while they get too stiff and gummed up inside to lube and you have to replace them. If you have a boat that has dual steering cables hooked up to a big heavy motor now I would say look hard at replacement with a Seastar hydraulic system - it may cost more than the cables (it will) but it will be worth it in terms of driving enjoyment.

 

[MadBomber]

Glen "Outboard Doc" Gamble told me that my 10 year old cables were getting close to replacement time.  He also said that there was no good way to lubricate them and replacement was the best choice.  He is 423 area code, located between south chickamauga creek and Jack's bait & tackle on Bonny Oaks (old Hwy 58).  Oh, BTW, it's a good practice to keep the engine mount lubed up.  There is a grease fitting on the pivot shaft of the transom mount.

 

[RangerRob]

They aren't broken. Just get Glen to replace them Corey. That being an '88, they're probably too far gone to fix with a simple lube anyhoo. Replace them and be done w/ it.