Stiff steering. What to do???

[jkh785]

I have a 95 Nitro with a 175. The cables are getting to the point that you can hardly turn it with both hands at times. I've called about new cables and they are $125each (i need 2). Obvioulsy I would rather not spend this kind of money, any thing that I could do first to try and fix my problem? Or also anywhere people know of that I could get cheaper cables? That price was for the original Teleflex brand, I'm not sure if you have to buy those exact ones for replacements or not...I would assume you do.

[ernel]

You could try some of this stuff.

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=17932&hvarDept=200&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=2&hvarSubCode=7&hvarTarget=browse

Is the steering stiff only when the motor is under a load, or is it stiff when the motor is off as well?

[jkh785]

It's stiff all the time compared to what they normally are, but it is stiffer under a load then say when it's on the trailer. When the motor is trimmed all the way down getting on plane giving it all it has it's almost to the point you can't turn it.

[ernel]

I would try some of the cable lube that I placed a link to at BPS. If that doesn't help I would have to let a mechanic look the cables. If your steering is tight when the boat is trailored, it sounds more like the cables than a problem with the set-up. You may want to make sure that all the bolts on the motor mount are tight also. A loose mount could cause the motor to get in a bind when trying to turn the wheel.

I am interrested in what you find out as my boat has an extremly hard pull to the right when taking off, and even after it is on plain and trimmed up. My steering however is still free when the boat is trailored. I checked my trim tab and it was way out of adjustment. I reset mine back to the number two posistion and I am hoping this will take care of my problem. I hope to find out next Monday.

[Yankee_Bassman]

JKH:

I've got a '95 Nitro as well. $125. per cable sounds about right for Teleflex. You might be able to find an "off" brand cheaper, but not much. You'll get what you pay for, and at least the Teleflex are good  quality. Check the teeth on the rack and pinion; the bad news is, they may be bent or worn, and not meshing well. The BPS cable lube is primarily for keeping the tube the steering ram travels through lubed and free; the ram is stainless, but the tube usually isn't. I doubt it will help the actual sheathed cables at this point.  I once read a tip about carefully drilling into the cable sheath where it exits the hull near the motor, and injecting grease to try and free up the cable. The tip said it might or might not work, but is a short-term fix if it does work. I think you're probably going to have to bite the bullet.....I know I'm a fountain of negativity, but you also may have to lift the motor off the transom to gain enough clearance to remove the old and install the new cables. Good luck.

YB

[cedar1]

I had the same problem on a 1986 ranger 373V I had years ago. The cables will rust and start to fray. I had to pull the motor to replace them. Hopefully you wont. I would surely go with the teleflex cables

[Ben]

Now would be a great time to look into changing over to hydraulic (SeaStar) steering.  YOu will discover it's well worth the extra cost once you start using it'

[jkh785]

I have a jackplate which I think will give me all the space I need to change them without moving the motor. The hydraulic stearing has also crossed my mind. I've found some kits on ebay for around $400. If I could get a kit that worked for my boat for that much I'd probably just do that if it's really that much nicer. I don't know how hard something like that is to install though. I'll have to try and look into hydraulic more and weight to options.

[texasbass1]

Be real careful driving it. Once the cables start to wear, all the lube in the world won't stop it. If they break it is a dangerous situation.