steering troubles

[kwitcher]

I have an 82 Cajun bassboat. The steering has gotten really tight in it... (hard to turn wheel) I have greased the alemytes right where the cable/rod attaches to the motor... how else can I loosen it up?

 

[round2it]

Re: steering troubles

I took the cables/rods out of the tubes. I cleaned them out best I could, using a cylinder hone, rags, etc. Relubed cylinders with triple guard and reinstalled. Worked pretty good for a while, but wound up replacing one cable about 6 months later.

 

[DJ]

Re: steering troubles

Kwitcher,<br /><br />The hard steering is telling you that you have corrosion in the cable. Once it starts, it is difficult if not next to impossible to cure.<br /><br />I believe you're looking at a new cable(s). You DO NOT want a cable to break at high speeds. It can be disastrous.

 

[Franki]

Re: steering troubles

One thing I did was to disconnect the rack and pinion from the cable, (or you might have the rotary version) <br /><br />and made a funnel out of a platic milk carton and taped it around the inner cable, I raised it up high and filled it with penetrating oil..<br /><br />left it overnight and the next morning the cable was alot freer.. moving it around more brought it back to normal.. in my case it was because the cable was left in a garage and not used or moved for years.. it sort of locked shut..<br /><br />they are not really that expensive though, maybe you should just change it.. depends how bad it actually is..<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[bobwhite_11755]

Re: steering troubles

All good solutions, But an easier tip to try is to loosen the tension nut at the end of the steering shaft. If this doesn't do the trick first then you are stuck with the other options. Turn the nut counter clockwise to loosen the tension, I would recommend about 4 complete turns. Try the steering and see if it has the feel you are looking for, then try it on the water. Not at full throttle, but about half, until I had it adjusted to where it felt better. Keep in mind that you don't want it too loose.

 

[bobwhite_11755]

Re: steering troubles

I have an '86 cajun and replacing the cable is not easy job. My boat is a 185 fish and ski. You have to pull the motor to change the cable. I just completed this task to the tune of $110.00.