measured my steering cable....

[stackz]

ok, I did the thing in my west marine catalog and measured from the middle of transom to back corner, then back corner to steering wheel, then from outside to center of steering wheel...came up with 14'

factory system is a rack/pinion type.

I then finally managed to beat/cut the old steering shaft out of the engine bracket and then cut out the black portion of the cable. measuring just the black portion from end to end (where it connects to metal on each end) it measures 11'-3"

If I then add in the 1' or so of the metal transom end it comes out to around 12'-7"
question
so am I correct in that I need a 12' cable versus what the book measurements are telling me @ 14'??

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: measured my steering cable....

order the 14. better long than short.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: measured my steering cable....

I agree with TD, better a little long than short. BTDT along with the hassle of return it and wait another day or two to get back on the water.

 

[5150abf]

Re: measured my steering cable....

they have you measure that way for a reason, if you do it like that it is almost impossible to get it to short.

As stated it is alot easier to find room for 2 extra feet than to try and stretch it 2 feet, you will thank oyur self for the extra room, get the 14.

 

[stackz]

Re: measured my steering cable....

man, I dont know where I'd put the other 2 feet.

this thing had an almost perfect bend around the length of the boat...that and this cable is SOOO stiff...

I dont see how I could make a loop for it and/or keep it out of view at that point since this is a bow rider boat with and open side that just hangs down a little..

crap.

the 12' wont work based off the black cable length??

 

[Bondo]

Re: measured my steering cable....

Ayuh,.... By your own measurement you come up with 12', 7"....

Can you get 13',..?? I wouldn't buy Any shorter than 13'....

 

[Mark42]

Re: measured my steering cable....

Some of the teleflex cables had the length embossed every few feet on the cable housing. If this info is on yours, you can order the same cable, it will be an exact replacement. Try calling teleflex and ask customer service about what model number you should order based on measurements of your old cable, they may be able to tell you the exact replacement length to order.

 

[stackz]

Re: measured my steering cable....

my cable is completely black lol. I've been looking it over and finally at the transom end found the following which was embossed into the black plastic sheath.

"detmar c93 14 ft system"

cool. so I guess you have to add in the measurement of the rack itself as well as the length of the transom metal rod portion.

anyway, thanks guys for the help!

 

[HeloMech]

Re: measured my steering cable....

What kind of boat is it that you have? Just curious. The boat I just bought, first boat to me, is an 87 freedom 170sx. It's a 17' openbow with the open sides and hang down like you mentioned. They guy I got the boat from had removed the old cable and left parts lying around. He bought a new cable and an aftermarket steering box. I fabbed in the new gearbox, which meant losing the factory tilt wheel. The cable is at least a foot too long and the box says 14' on it. This is with the single cable, planetary gearbox system. Along the right side (sheesh, starboard), the cable dips down below that overhang, all the way to the floor, then heads back up. I've tried to hide it behind the seats as best I could. Might even stick the square floaties over there. I've never had the boat in the water, but on the trailer, it seems like it 'steers heavy'. The cable was new with the plastic protectors on it, gearbox was new. Everything is greased. I lubed the outdrive zerks, etc. It's my first boat but on the trailer it feels like driving an old manual steering car. I'm guessing with the boat in the water and actually moving, the water 'pressure' will help reduce the weight of the system? I dunno. am I rambling again? lol

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: measured my steering cable....

I cannot remember precisely (of course sometimes I don't remember at all but I believe that the method of measuring for the right cable reveals the correct cable to purchase- but I think a 14' cable doesn't actually measure 14' depending on where and how we might think of measuring. I remember trying to get a replacment for my Teleflex helm and wound up measuring cables in the isle at West Marine. What I recall is that what I thought didn't match with the old part, but the measure-and-buy-this-one method worked out OK in the end. The West Marine guys were good to me and didn't laugh at me- at least until I left the store

Hope that helps someone.