Mark42
Fleet Admiral
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2003
- Messages
- 9,334
I just installed a new Teleflex steering cable, except its not connected to the outboard yet (because I have to take the outboard off to feed the ram into the through tube).
Just wanted to post some of my observations that might make things easier for other members.
First, removing the old cable can be a pain because even though Teleflex specifically states to NOT connect/bundle any other wires or cables to the steering cable, it seems that it is common practice for boat manufacturers to do this. So all the tie wraps need to be cut freeing the cable from the wire bundle. A small razor knife works well in tight places.
To help get the old cable out, I found it easier to cut the cable in a few pieces with a saws-all. A large bolt cutter will probably work too.
Once the cable is out, you can measure or check the length (sometimes) printed on the cable by the helm end.
Installing the new cable is not as hard as getting the old one out. Its much more flexable and hasn't taken a "set" yet due to age. Do NOT take the plastic tube/sheath off the helm end of the cable. It makes it much easier to thread, and keeps the grease off of everything. I found starting at the motor end and threading up to the helm to be the easiest way. Lay the cable out the back of the boat, or curl it in a big circle inside the boat and start threading.
I did not remove the old cable before ordering a new one. I also noticed that the cable was obviously longer than it needed to be due to the way it was routed. I assume this is because Bayliner gets a better price on ordering a bunch of cables all one length and figures out how to make them fit a variety of boat sizes, rather than ordering smaller quanties of different length cables. I used the Teleflex method of determining what length cable is needed. It still came out about a foot longer than I needed, but luck is on my side this time and there is the space to take up the slack without it hanging down in view somewhere. The cable I ordered was a 13 foot, the cable that came out was a 14 foot.
The 85 Bayliner has the old Teleflex Safe-T helm. So I ordered a QC (quick connect) cable with the "converter" fitting that screws on the helm. Works just as it should. Easy on, new cable just snaps in, and with a push of a pin, the cable snaps out.
A note about grease. The cable came generously lubed with what appears to be white lithium grease, both on the inner coil core and the ram end. So if you want to add some grease to the ram, white lithium is a good one to use.
Next I have to get the ram end into the outboard through tube. Its just imposable to get the old one out (I just cut the cable off at the nut) and the new one in with the motor on the boat. Just not enough clearance. So The motor will have to be supported and the mounting bolts removed so the motor can be turned at a bit of angle so the ram can be inserted. More fun in store...
Anyway, thats my take on putting in the new cable today. Hope it is of some use to some members.
Mark.
Just wanted to post some of my observations that might make things easier for other members.
First, removing the old cable can be a pain because even though Teleflex specifically states to NOT connect/bundle any other wires or cables to the steering cable, it seems that it is common practice for boat manufacturers to do this. So all the tie wraps need to be cut freeing the cable from the wire bundle. A small razor knife works well in tight places.
To help get the old cable out, I found it easier to cut the cable in a few pieces with a saws-all. A large bolt cutter will probably work too.
Once the cable is out, you can measure or check the length (sometimes) printed on the cable by the helm end.
Installing the new cable is not as hard as getting the old one out. Its much more flexable and hasn't taken a "set" yet due to age. Do NOT take the plastic tube/sheath off the helm end of the cable. It makes it much easier to thread, and keeps the grease off of everything. I found starting at the motor end and threading up to the helm to be the easiest way. Lay the cable out the back of the boat, or curl it in a big circle inside the boat and start threading.
I did not remove the old cable before ordering a new one. I also noticed that the cable was obviously longer than it needed to be due to the way it was routed. I assume this is because Bayliner gets a better price on ordering a bunch of cables all one length and figures out how to make them fit a variety of boat sizes, rather than ordering smaller quanties of different length cables. I used the Teleflex method of determining what length cable is needed. It still came out about a foot longer than I needed, but luck is on my side this time and there is the space to take up the slack without it hanging down in view somewhere. The cable I ordered was a 13 foot, the cable that came out was a 14 foot.
The 85 Bayliner has the old Teleflex Safe-T helm. So I ordered a QC (quick connect) cable with the "converter" fitting that screws on the helm. Works just as it should. Easy on, new cable just snaps in, and with a push of a pin, the cable snaps out.
A note about grease. The cable came generously lubed with what appears to be white lithium grease, both on the inner coil core and the ram end. So if you want to add some grease to the ram, white lithium is a good one to use.
Next I have to get the ram end into the outboard through tube. Its just imposable to get the old one out (I just cut the cable off at the nut) and the new one in with the motor on the boat. Just not enough clearance. So The motor will have to be supported and the mounting bolts removed so the motor can be turned at a bit of angle so the ram can be inserted. More fun in store...
Anyway, thats my take on putting in the new cable today. Hope it is of some use to some members.
Mark.