Skeeter hard to steer

D

DKennimer

Seaman
Joined
Oct 18, 2009
Messages
74
Hello all-- I have a 1988 Skeeter sf175sx and it is very hard to steer! Any suggestions, new cables? grease? This is my first boat...
 
phwrd

phwrd

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 30, 2007
Messages
294
Re: Skeeter hard to steer

My boat sat while i rebuilt the wireing, dash & gas lines. The steering seemed stiff so i kept puttin grease in it. Got worse.

Don't use the same grease you would use on wheel bearings. Someone will correct me but use something called "White Grease" ?

I ended up replacing the steering after it wouldn't move at all. Did go with the No Feedback, great system.
 
L

leer94

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
39
Re: Skeeter hard to steer

If the cables have outlived themselves, greasing them will not do any good.
Disconnecting them from the motor and seeing if they are still stiff is a good idea.
 
G

grego

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 12, 2008
Messages
328
Re: Skeeter hard to steer

Don't use grease on any cable. Use Graphite. sand,dirt.salt all stick to grease, graphite is a dry lube, that will give your cables a longer life without buildup. Cars, boats, motorcycles, all move smoother. A small tube will lube several cables.
 
D

DKennimer

Seaman
Joined
Oct 18, 2009
Messages
74
Re: Skeeter hard to steer

Great information guys, Thanks! I'll disconnect the cables from the motor first. If I do need to replace them, is it very hard??? Again, Thanks!
 
Bob_VT

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
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May 19, 2001
Messages
26,022
Re: Skeeter hard to steer

Not too hard..... just have to measure properly and order the proper cable. iboats has most replacement cables and the customer service will assist you in the proper order.
 
E

ENSIGN

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 21, 2009
Messages
1,179
Re: Skeeter hard to steer

Be sure to clean the inside of the tilt tube,this is critical for having smooth steering.I normaly use a 5/8 drill a couple of passes is all thats needed.Put some 2-4c or never seeze on the cable when installing.GL,Ted
 
seabob4

seabob4

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 10, 2008
Messages
1,603
Re: Skeeter hard to steer

DKennimer said:
Thank you Bob! Is mine a rotary system?
Click to expand...

Look under the helm. If the mechanism that the cable is attached to appears circular in some aspects, it's rotary. If you see a long straight mechanism, its a rack system...
 
D

DKennimer

Seaman
Joined
Oct 18, 2009
Messages
74
Re: Skeeter hard to steer

ENSIGN said:
Be sure to clean the inside of the tilt tube,this is critical for having smooth steering.I normaly use a 5/8 drill a couple of passes is all thats needed.Put some 2-4c or never seeze on the cable when installing.GL,Ted
Click to expand...

The "tilt tube" is that where the cable hooks up by the engine? Thanks for the advise!
 
E

ENSIGN

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 21, 2009
Messages
1,179
Re: Skeeter hard to steer

Thats it,also when installing the new cable don't make any sharp bends and don't kink the cable GL Ted
 
L

leer94

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 10, 2010
Messages
39
Re: Skeeter hard to steer

DKennimer said:
Great information guys, Thanks! I'll disconnect the cables from the motor first. If I do need to replace them, is it very hard??? Again, Thanks!
Click to expand...

IMO...being the patient sort of guy I am ( NOT)...routing them is the hardest part ( depending on the boat)

...and if I were doing it, I would pull a nylon mule line or nylon pulling string along with them, so in the future if you need to feed something from the front to the back you have a string there you can just tie on to.
 
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