Steering cable binding

[YN2(SS)]

i am in the final stages of putting a 1980 bass boat back together and the steering cable is binding. It is a single cable rack and pinion type steering cable. So I disassembled all the pieces as far as I could and I cannot find a way to get the cable itself out of the housing. Are to fittings on the ends pressed or swaged on? Is there any way to finish dissassembling the cable to clean it and the housing and get it working smoothly again? Whats a good way to lubricate it if I cant get it apart?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Steering cable binding

Is there any way to finish dissassembling the cable to clean it and the housing and get it working smoothly again?

Nope,... It's a Non-serviceable part,...

Replace it with a New 1....

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Steering cable binding

YN2,

Have you checked each piece of the steering system individually to confirm it is the cable and not the rack unit or the pivot bracket on the motor?

 

[YN2(SS)]

Re: Steering cable binding

Thanks Bondo and Greg!

I priced a new one and some days, frankly, my times not worth much. So this is what I did. The steering cable was out of the boat and it was stiff turning the wheel before we removed it. I disassemled the rack and pinion and removed all of the gunk and old grease (and some fiberglass dust too). I found the cable was still a little stiff within the housing. I placed the cable housing in a bench vise to steady it and after bout 20 minutes of cardio movin if back and forth and turning the cable in the housing, she moves real good. It jus needed some exercise. I reassebled the whole thing and put it back in the boat. It turns real smooth. Should only take a finger or two to driver her. Thanks for the help! Now I can spend the $$$$ somewhere else

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: Steering cable binding

Good for you. Pleasant boating!

 

[Last Mohican]

Re: Steering cable binding

Thanks Bondo and Greg!

I priced a new one and some days, frankly, my times not worth much. So this is what I did. The steering cable was out of the boat and it was stiff turning the wheel before we removed it. I disassemled the rack and pinion and removed all of the gunk and old grease (and some fiberglass dust too). I found the cable was still a little stiff within the housing. I placed the cable housing in a bench vise to steady it and after bout 20 minutes of cardio movin if back and forth and turning the cable in the housing, she moves real good. It jus needed some exercise. I reassebled the whole thing and put it back in the boat. It turns real smooth. Should only take a finger or two to driver her. Thanks for the help! Now I can spend the $$$$ somewhere else

Don't be surprised if that does not last. A new cable is cheap compaired to the frustration of a day lost stranded on the lake.

 

[YN2(SS)]

Re: Steering cable binding

We (the owner and myself,the mechanic) figured if it gets worse over time, we will go ahead and replace it then, knowing we have already done everything we could with what we had. It wont be difficult to get out.