steering

[sinclair-bu]

My steering has tightened up, so its a bit hard to use one hand, its not all the time and I greased it late last year. Any ideas ?. Thanks guys.

[RTS]

Unfortunately, it's probably time for a new steering cable.

These steering cable seems to fail rather suddenly, and every year we have multiple threads this time of year complaining of stiff steering after the winter layups.

There seems to be no standard life to them (i.e. 4 years or 7 years). Some last a while, some don't.

The good news is that it is a pretty easy and relatively cheap fix, then you will be back to fingertip steering for a few years.

My cable failed after 2 years, and I'm still on my second one some 7 years later (until this weekend, of course, since I just jinxed myself.)

[Aquadisiac]

I got through last season by cleaning and greasing all exposed areas. After winter it was time to change the cable.

about 150.00 later and approx 1 hours work it steers like a champ. Have a friend to bring the beer and help pull the cable.

[ChainSetter]

Do you have to center the rudder and the new steering cable for this job? Just ordered a new cable and I'm just wondering does the rack and pinion have to be in a certain spot as well as the cable?

[WakingMeHappy]

My vote is the steering cable. They can go out very quickly.

[sgt1970-442]

yep, steering cable gets my vote also. my sunsetter is a 1999 and takes a 19foot cable.

use can look under the dash and get the number off the old one.

bake's or discount inboard marine are two great places to get them.

[bnew03xti]

skidim.com enter coupon code malibu for extra discount.

[TheHardWay]

Do you have to center the rudder and the new steering cable for this job? Just ordered a new cable and I'm just wondering does the rack and pinion have to be in a certain spot as well as the cable?

Just center your rudder before you take the old cable off. When you put the new cable on, you will have to extend the cable manually to where it lines up with the tiller arm. This will put the rack in the correct position. Then you just have to make sure your steering wheel is straight, level, whatever you want to call it....before you reinstall the four bolts to secure the rack to the helm.

[D-GOOSE]

best way to set up a wine night is to just put the rack on then take the boat out for a test drive drive at 30 miles an hour in a straight line. when steering wheel is straight drop throttle do not turn steering wheel unbolt rack straighten steering wheel put back on the rack.

[footnlongline]

Just center your rudder before you take the old cable off. When you put the new cable on, you will have to extend the cable manually to where it lines up with the tiller arm. This will put the rack in the correct position. Then you just have to make sure your steering wheel is straight, level, whatever you want to call it....before you reinstall the four bolts to secure the rack to the helm.

Plumb?

[Horns1]

another helpfull hint that will make the job go faster- get bolt cutters & after you undo the cable from the rudder - cut the cable w/ bolt cutters right behind the big nut, then tape your string to the new cable & pull the cable out. Its much easier to pull the cable out w/ the metal steering arm cut off- this will save you time, I promise.

Edited May 3, 2011 by Horns1

[TheHardWay]

Plumb?

That works too!

another helpfull hint that will make the job go faster- get bolt cutters & after you undo the cable from the rudder - cut the cable w/ bolt cutters right behind the big nut, then tape your string to the new cable & pull the cable out. Its much easier to pull the cable out w/ the metal steering arm cut off- this will save you time, I promise.

That is a great idea