backwards steering

[jlauritsen]

I just bought a '93 Sylvan fishing boat with a 75 Mercury, the previous owner had a new helm and steering cable installed but it steers backwards, how big of a deal is it to fix it

 

[Laddies]

Re: backwards steering

The helm need to be taken off and turned so the rack attaches on the opposite side from where it is to fix the problem.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: backwards steering

Laddies nailed it. Very common mistake and very simple (4 bolt) fix.

 

[Don S]

Re: backwards steering

If you have rack steering, it's more than 4 bolts. You can take the rack cable off with 4 bolts, but you have to disassemble the helm unit and turn it 180? and put the rack back on.
The rack has to be on top of the helm unit as shown in the picture below.

 

[southkogs]

Re: backwards steering

... figure it out before you put it on the lake. Otherwise people look at you kinda' funny.


Ask me how I know

 

[jlauritsen]

Re: backwards steering

Thanks everyone for your replies I just looked at it and it is a Teleflex Rack System. It looks like a tight fit and some cutting was done when this system was installed. The previous owner told me it had a tilt wheel in it but the cable had frozen up. It looks that more cutting of the dash supports will have to be done to put the rack on top of the helm.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: backwards steering

It's worth addressing the issue, because in an emergency situation you don't want to turn the wrong direction by mistake!

 

[jlauritsen]

Re: backwards steering

I did not do a water test on the boat. I purchased it from a friend and he told me about this before I bought it. It was an easy fix and I thank everyone who helped me out.

 

[sutor623]

Re: backwards steering

Haha Ive done this. Felt like a 'tard.

 

[JoLin]

Re: backwards steering

Thanks everyone for your replies I just looked at it and it is a Teleflex Rack System. It looks like a tight fit and some cutting was done when this system was installed. The previous owner told me it had a tilt wheel in it but the cable had frozen up. It looks that more cutting of the dash supports will have to be done to put the rack on top of the helm.

Take a real close look before you go cutting anything. I have a '95 Sylvan 16 Pro, dual console. It CAME with a Teleflex rack system. I had to replace the cable. It was an absolute bear, but I didn't have to do any cutting. Maybe the P.O. cut things because he had to in order to install it INcorrectly. PO's do weird stuff...

 

[Don S]

Re: backwards steering

It was an easy fix and I thank everyone who helped me out.

I think he already fixed it guys.