'94 johnson 120HP, hard steering

[bxrluvr2002]

Hello,<br /> I have a '94 Laser 17ft bass boat with a '94 Johnson 120HP outboard. Last weekend we were out on the water and I noticed the steering was getting harder and harder. I grease all the fitting on the boat every couple of weeks. The steering rack under the dash doesn't have anywhere that I can see to grease it. The rack sqeaks pretty load so I am assuming that something in there is locking up? So I am looking into buying a new steering cable for it I guess. I have seen a few models on BPS and Cabelas.<br /><br />My question I guess is more of opinions on what brands should I look at? and where to buy?<br /><br />Thanks for your time.

 

[Pst76]

Re: '94 johnson 120HP, hard steering

Had a similar issue on my 83 larson, I'm guessing you have a cable set up and not Hydraulic. Not worth messing with old one, big problem if it jams at WOT. Teleflex is a pretty common and reliable set up. I bought mine a t Boaters world for about $129.00. They have them also on this Iboat site that you can order from.<br />Easy swap. Good luck

 

[bxrluvr2002]

Re: '94 johnson 120HP, hard steering

yea, it's mechanical. I saw those hydrolic conversion kits. If I had $600, I'd swap that in, but I don't. <br /><br />I unhooked the cable from the motor and the motor swings back and forth freely so I pulled the cable out of the boat. It's a rack style. The part number on the cable is Morse 300619-144IN-6010.<br /><br />So are the cables pretty much universal? If I get the whole kit with a new steering wheel assembly and all, will I need to get some kind of adapter kit for the motor end of the cable to connect to my motor? I ask because nowhere in the pricing did it specify make/model/year.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[bxrluvr2002]

Re: '94 johnson 120HP, hard steering

Ok, after doing some searching, I found that Morse and Teleflex are the same company. Is that correct? The part# stamped on my old cable, 300619-144, i think means that I need a 14 foot replacement cable. According to Teleflex's website the "144" denotes 14 ft cable. <br /><br />I found the best price right here on iboats. A No Feed Back helm, cable and mounting gear for $150. BPS and Cabelas for that same kit is $190.<br />With a 120HP engine on a 17ft boat, will I benifit much from the no feed back? What I don't understand is, I found just the cable for $200! I can get the whole kit for $50 cheaper? I am worried I am missing something?<br /><br />pst76, I have never heard of t Boaters world. Do they have a website?

 

[Pst76]

Re: '94 johnson 120HP, hard steering

Sorry for the delay getting back, Boaters world may be regional to New England, I believe they do have a web site you can order from. The cost may just be that its cheaper for them to supply whole assembly due to handling, packaging etc from their suppliers so they try to move as assemblies. Same as building your car from scratch your self or buying complete, Pay more for the individual parts. The Feed Back I believe is just the spec tolerances it would be MFG to. Just a guess. Good luck

 

[bxrluvr2002]

Re: '94 johnson 120HP, hard steering

thanks for you help<br /><br />I am going to get the NFB kit.