Rack and pinion to Rotary Cable

[sousaf21]

I am unable to determine the length of the current rack and pinion cable, and I want to replace it with a rotary no feedback system. How do I determine the length of the rotary system I should purchase. My current rack has no part number to determine the length.

 

[1979checkmate]

Re: Rack and pinion to Rotary Cable

errr.. reason for switching to rotary?

 

[sousaf21]

Re: Rack and pinion to Rotary Cable

Well because I have read that a lot of people on this forum recommend the rotary over the rack and pinion, it's "smoother". I am completely new to all of this, so any and all recommendations are greatly appreciated.

 

[tschmidty]

Re: Rack and pinion to Rotary Cable

There are pretty clear instructions for measuring.

For rack steering cable replacement, measure existing cable as follows: Measure plastic cable jacket in inches, add 30", and round up to the next foot. Order that length cable.

http://www.iboats.com/Teleflex-NFB-4-2-Rotary-No-Feedback-Steering-System-Package/dm/*******.218288991--**********.476875675--view_id.40292

 

[1979checkmate]

Re: Rack and pinion to Rotary Cable

i consider rack/pinion to be stronger than rotary. Also, i have a new rack and pinion on my boat, it is very smooth.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Rack and pinion to Rotary Cable

i consider rack/pinion to be stronger than rotary. Also, i have a new rack and pinion on my boat, it is very smooth.

I installed a brand new Teleflex rack system in my last boat and a brand new Uflex rotary in my current boat. I prefer the rotary as the rack seemed to have more play in it. That being said, it's easy to see how the rack would be more durable.

 

[sousaf21]

Re: Rack and pinion to Rotary Cable

I am going to go with the rotary, but I am still unclear what measurement to go with. Ive measured my rubber jacket to be13 ft 8". But, I've read if it goes through a tilt tube (which mine does) add six inches, and if rotary add 18", do i add both the 6 and the 18 inches?? There is really nothing online clarifying this, if I add both, and im not supposed to I will definitely buy the wrong size cable.

 

[1979checkmate]

Re: Rack and pinion to Rotary Cable

http://www.teleflexmarine.com/marketing-material/videos/measuring-a-steering-cable-video/

 

[5150abf]

Re: Rack and pinion to Rotary Cable

Go from the steering wheel to the side of the boat, from there to the back of the boat, from there to the center of the engine, add them up and that is your length, if there are inches round up.

A rotary is way better than a rack adn you will be glad you did it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Rack and pinion to Rotary Cable

A rotary is way better than a rack adn you will be glad you did it.

Ayuh,... This case may be different,...
But,...
Every hull I've seen with a steering Rack, didn't have the Space to mount a rotary helm...

 

[Cannondale]

Re: Rack and pinion to Rotary Cable

I am going to go with the rotary, but I am still unclear what measurement to go with. Ive measured my rubber jacket to be13 ft 8". But, I've read if it goes through a tilt tube (which mine does) add six inches, and if rotary add 18", do i add both the 6 and the 18 inches?? There is really nothing online clarifying this, if I add both, and im not supposed to I will definitely buy the wrong size cable.

Measure plastic housing, add 18", round up to next foot. Just replaced my steering cable two months ago. It was a custom length, so following Teleflex's instructions, did just as I described and it fit almost perfectly....was a few inches longer than the original, but fit it did.

 

[sousaf21]

Re: Rack and pinion to Rotary Cable

Ayuh,... This case may be different,...
But,...
Every hull I've seen with a steering Rack, didn't have the Space to mount a rotary helm...

Geeze, is there a way I could measure to see if it fits?? How much more space does a rotary system take up??

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Rack and pinion to Rotary Cable

How much more space does a rotary system take up??

Not that much. The rack is flatter than the rotary so it definitely takes up less room vertically, but it's wider than the rotary. The rotary is fatter and has an off-shoot tube that the cable goes into as it's fed into the helm but I think overall, they're comparable.

rotary

rack