steering cable?

[1975oday22]

what size steering cable does a 1974 chieftain 18 have? reason i ask this is because the cable i have on it (that came with it) is way to long for it and is hard to steer. its also way up in the gunwhale (yes i have checked that the engine turns freely without hassle)

 

[dubs283]

what size steering cable does a 1974 chieftain 18 have?

The one currently installed

Oem was most likely shorter, remove current cable, measure and obtain a shorter one suitable to the setup

 

[Bondo]

what size steering cable does a 1974 chieftain 18 have? reason i ask this is because the cable i have on it (that came with it) is way to long for it and is hard to steer. its also way up in the gunwhale (yes i have checked that the engine turns freely without hassle)

Ayuh,..... Every site I've seen that sells helms, 'n cables has a explanation of how to measure the boat for the proper length cable,.....

 

[1975oday22]

Ayuh,..... Every site I've seen that sells helms, 'n cables has a explanation of how to measure the boat for the proper length cable,.....

i do have a 13-14 ft cable available? would this be a better idea? or should i just attach the cable to the bracket that is installed? (apparently was there before i got it, but po put it in the tilt tube)

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... It looks like it oughta work Ok,....

 

[1975oday22]

should i take this one out of tilt tube and put it on the bracket? or should i go with the 13-14 ft cable?

 

[1975oday22]

well, come to find out, where the cable comes out of the splashwell, it is tight up against the hole. i will be cutting that hole back a few inches to acomodate the cable (so that it is straight on to the tilt tube). i have cleaned the crud by spraying carb cleaner in it) somewhat more manageable. but cutting a lil bit more of the hole should have it that i can steer with one hand instead of 2 . lol

 

[roscoe]

The one installed, looks to be about right

Can’t get much shorter.

Does the cable and helm move freely when disconnected from the motor?

The cable bracket on the transom is for use with a motor that doesn’t have a tilt tube.

 

[1975oday22]

no the cable and helm dont move freely. i took the cable out of the tilt tube and cleaned it. lubed it and put it back in. still stiff steering. i dont know what to do now except turn around and pray that someone has got a hydraulic steering system ......

 

[1975oday22]

how hard would it be to pull the cable from the sheathing in order to clean it and then reinstall into sheathing? im thinking that it might be gunked up. and it seems original to boat wich is 74

 

[roscoe]

how hard would it be to pull the cable from the sheathing in order to clean it and then reinstall into sheathing? im thinking that it might be gunked up. and it seems original to boat wich is 74

you can't remove the cable from the sheathing.

. There is a good chance the cable has frayed or the inner sheathing has failed.

disconnect from motor AND the helm.
does wheel now turn easily? if not, replace the helm.

does cable move freely?
If not, the cable is bound up inside -- replace it


Does motor turn easily when you push on it with one hand?
If not, the king pin on the motor is bound up with old hard grease and or corrosion. clean it out and grease it up.

The length of the cable, or the little bend at the splash well, is not causing the issue.

 

[1975oday22]

you can't remove the cable from the sheathing.

. There is a good chance the cable has frayed or the inner sheathing has failed.

disconnect from motor AND the helm.
does wheel now turn easily? if not, replace the helm.

does cable move freely?
If not, the cable is bound up inside -- replace it


Does motor turn easily when you push on it with one hand?
If not, the king pin on the motor is bound up with old hard grease and or corrosion. clean it out and grease it up.

The length of the cable, or the little bend at the splash well, is not causing the issue.

the cable is not bound up , well it is stiff, motor turns freely with it removed and so does helm, the cable does move the engine but have to crank it harder then i should. thats why i think its a cleaning. and why i asked how hard it would be to take it out of sheathing to clean it.

 

[Bondo]

the cable is not bound up , well it is stiff, motor turns freely with it removed and so does helm, the cable does move the engine but have to crank it harder then i should. thats why i think its a cleaning. and why i asked how hard it would be to take it out of sheathing to clean it.

Ayuh,..... It's a non-serviceable part,.... As I said above, get yerself a helm, 'n cable kit, 'n replace the original,....

 

[1975oday22]

i think im gonna have to.... cheers

 

[1975oday22]

well i cut the hole. steering cable is a lil bit tight yet. getting a bit easier to steer but not by much. still sometimes have to use both hands to crank it , sometimes one hand, i think its just gunked up. gonna buy a can of some kind of cleaner and spray it in the sheathing and work at it.... i know i know. cables and helms are not expensive nowadays. but i also need other things as well for this and right now i have steering assembly . i might try taking the cable out of tilt tube and put it on bracket. direct to the steering horn on motor. see if that might work out better. will let you know tomorrow how that goes. as for the hole its only the steering coming from it. all electrical is in other hole.

 

[nola mike]

well i cut the hole. steering cable is a lil bit tight yet. getting a bit easier to steer but not by much. still sometimes have to use both hands to crank it , sometimes one hand, i think its just gunked up. gonna buy a can of some kind of cleaner and spray it in the sheathing and work at it.... i know i know. cables and helms are not expensive nowadays. but i also need other things as well for this and right now i have steering assembly . i might try taking the cable out of tilt tube and put it on bracket. direct to the steering horn on motor. see if that might work out better. will let you know tomorrow how that goes. as for the hole its only the steering coming from it. all electrical is in other hole.

you'll be screwing with that thing until you eventually replace it anyway. there's a graveyard of threads with people trying to clean a cable unsuccessfully, or more likely partially successful... for a while