steering cable removal

[mikietoo]

My new (to me) boat is a 95 Hydro-Sport Z260 with a 92 90hp Evinrude v4. The steering is murder. Very difficult to turn either direction. Probably the steering cable. I can't afford to have the cable replaced and want to do it myself. The marine dealer that gave me an estimate to replace it said the motor would have to be lifted from the boat to make room to pull the cable out of the motor. When I look inside the engine compartment, I see no lifting eyes, loops, brackets, etc. There are three holes in the top of the flywheel. Are these holes used to mount a lifting eye? I have a small tractor and think that I can use the bucket to raise the motor but don't want to tear anything up.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: steering cable removal

Yes, those three holes in the flywheel are for a lifting fixture. An automotive 3-legged puller should bolt right in place. Unfortunate that you have to pull the engine, but it is not unusual to do so. Depends on the boat and splashwell configuration. That engine does show a single lifting eye just aft of the flywheel on that model. That will also work.

 

[retiredfornow]

Re: steering cable removal

Have you cleaned out the steering rod at the motor yet? That's usually the culprit.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: steering cable removal

I replaced the cable and helm in my bass boat. I removed the bolts and was able to tilt the motor enough to pull out (and insert) the shaft on my 70hp. Depending on your stern area, you can slide the motor over as well. I also found (and probably everyone else knows this) pull the cable from the helm and not from the stern. Insert toward the helm. I tied a rope to the old cable at the helm and that guided the cable through the tunnel hole. The three holes on the flywheel are to assist in removing the flywheel not lifting the motor. Usually...at least with mine...there is a bracket to hook to. If not, can you wrap a chain under the motor?

 

[mikietoo]

Re: steering cable removal

I've done nothing yet. The guy that sole me the boat said he was told the cable needed replacing and I assumed he was told by someone who was supposed to know but I'm ready to try the easy things first.

By "steering rod at the motor", do you mean the end of the steering cable?

 

[mikietoo]

Re: steering cable removal

There is no lifting eye aft of the flywheel on my motor. There is a small threaded hole about 2 inches left of the forward/aft center line. the hole appears to be a 3/16 or maybe a 1/4 and looks too small to mount a lifting bracket. If there ever was one on this motor, it is gone now and I don't see where it would have been mounted.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: steering cable removal

"By "steering rod at the motor", do you mean the end of the steering cable? "

That is what retiredfornow means.

 

[retiredfornow]

Re: steering cable removal

"By "steering rod at the motor", do you mean the end of the steering cable? "

That is what retiredfornow means.

Yes, it becomes rusty and full of "grunge" and old grease. That's what was wrong with mine. Steering works like new now.

 

[mikietoo]

Re: steering cable removal

removed starboard side nut and the port side steering connector from steering cable where attached to motor mount/tube (or whatever you call it) and cannot get rod from the motor without pulling motor. However, the motor turns freely without the cable fastened to it. The cable moves back and forth in the tube easily. Trouble is not in the steering rod or the swivel part of the motor.

Now I am trying to get the other end apart.

 

[boobie]

Re: steering cable removal

By the "other end apart", do you mean at the helm?? If you do, get the steering tube out of the tilt tube on the mtr first and see what happens. The tilt tube on the mtr may be where all your probs are.

 

[mikietoo]

Re: steering cable removal

I got the cable out of the motor and still almost impossible to turn. I removed the cable from the boat and still can't turn. I tried to put stuff down the steering rod end of the cable and still no movement. I had a friend take it to work (heavy equipment transmission mechanic) and put it in his vat that heats and swishes and still no movement. I give up!!. Have ordered a new cable. I tried to order from Iboats but they were out of stock. Thanks for the help guys.