Rack steering cable issue

Redknot

Cadet
Joined
Jul 29, 2009
Messages
19
Any suggestions on a steering cable removal and replacement? It is on a 1964 Glastron V-171 with a rack. The cable was seized and the steering wheel would not turn. It turns (kind of) freely now, but the cable is broken! I have removed the cable from the motor, 1975 70hp Johnson, slide tube, but have not done so from the helm under the dash.

I did get the nut off the helm end and turned the wheel to push the cable (rod) out but the cable binds into the side of the hull before the rod is about halfway out of the rack. I would like to get the cable out of the boat so I can measure it to see if I can get a replacement for it. I have seen several on ebay at way less than the cost of a new rotary unit, but without knowing the length I am dead in the water -- so to speak...

Could someone who is familiar with a rack system tell me how the rod connects to the movement inside the rack? Is it a hook? Is the rod I am seeing when I turn the wheel part of the hook? Could I just cut it with bolt cutters to just get the cable out? And lastly, do I really have to drop the rack from the helm to get a new cable (if I can locate one) back into the rack??

Many thanks, Jim
 
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