steering broke

[wiguy]

Well here's my problem. After a busy summer i finally got my boat out this past weekend. It is an 85 hydrasport w/ a 150hp evinrude. I get out to the lake launch the boat fire it up and start slowly going out of the no wake zone. I went to steer the boat and the steering was frozen solid, couldn't budge the steering wheel at all. I slowly worked the steering wheel back and forth untill i got the steering cable to break loose. The motor would turn to the left, but not the right. And insted of patiantly moving it back and forth until it freed up i turned the wheel as hard as I could and something broke in the steering colum. Now it just goes click, click click click as you turn the wheel. Am I going to have to get a new steering colum or is something broke that I can just fix. And if so where would i purchase one. Thank you in advance for your expertise and opinions.

 

[cp]

Re: steering broke

Sounds most likely that you need a new steering cable. You've prob'ly stripped the 'threads' off the end of the cable where they'd normally be engaged in the steering helm. The worst case is you've broken the helm, but that's less likely since it's built stronger than the cable. Go to the top of this page, click on the 'Marine Mega Mall' tab, then enter 'steering' in the search box, click and you'll see replacement cables (and helms) as you scroll down. Good luck.

 

[wiguy]

Re: steering broke

thank you very much i'll check that out!!!

 

[wiguy]

Re: steering broke

just a little update on my problem. I tore into the steering system today and discovered that some teeth were missing on the end of one of my cables. I have two seperate racks and the teeth were chewed off of the one closest to the steering wheel. I am assumed I could just replace the one cable, but a dealer in my area told me he could only sell a kit to replace everything. I looked around here on iboats, but didn't really know what I am supposed to get so didn't order anything. Is there a difference in cables from a single to duel setup? Also how do I measure the cable? I removed the cable and measured the actual cable without the gears and the other 10 inches or so that sticks out the other end that hooks to the motor and came up with about 11ft. (plus or minus a few inches) There seemed to be alot of slack when i pulled it through, so should i be alright with a 12 foot cable? thanks again in advance

 

[wiguy]

Re: steering broke

also i'm not sure who the manufactuer is on my steering system, but i'm assuming its still original equipment as I couldn't find any name or numbers on the rack itself.

 

[cp]

Re: steering broke

Sounds like you have a dual cable system as described in the below link:<br />Different Types of Steering<br />Seems like you should be able to order just the cable(s), since that's the case with the single cable systems. Most cables have the manufacturer's name and other info such as model and length printed along the length of the cable's outer jacket; see if you can find somewhere along your cable where that labeling hasn't rubbed/worn off.<br /><br />Otherwise, as far as measuring the cable length, here's a link that gives a method for doing so (note that it amounts to measuring the total distance from the steering wheel to where the cables connect to the motor), as well as other useful info:<br />Steering Cable Length<br />Good luck.

 

[cp]

Re: steering broke

Sounds like you have a dual cable system as described in the below link:<br />Different Types of Steering<br />Seems like you should be able to order just the cable(s), since that's the case with the single cable systems. Most cables have the manufacturer's name and other info such as model and length printed along the length of the cable's outer jacket; see if you can find somewhere along your cable where that labeling hasn't rubbed/worn off. If you buy a kit you'll get both cables and the helm, meaning you'll basically be putting in a whole new steering system, except for the steering wheel.<br /><br />Otherwise, as far as measuring the cable length, here's a link that gives a method for doing so (note that it amounts to measuring the total distance from the steering wheel to where the cable(s) connect to the motor), as well as other useful info:<br />Steering Cable Length<br />Good luck.

 

[wiguy]

Re: steering broke

i bought 2 new steering cables because they were both ruined. The teeth on both were missing in spots, so i thought i had my problem fixed, but it still won't turn, and if the steering wheel does turn it just clicks a couple times and then won't turn. The cables are not hooked up to the motor yet, so there isn't a problem there. I'm totally confused now.

 

[cp]

Re: steering broke

Sorry to see that your problem still persists. If the steering wheel won't turn with no cables connected to the helm unit, then it seems that the helm may also be frozen/broken. That'd be the worst case mentioned earlier 'cause you'll likely have to replace the helm too. Before doing so though, see if there may be pieces of the old cables jamming the gears in the helm. If the wheel does turn freely without the cables but not with the cables, then obviously you should recheck the cable installation to the helm. Good luck.