Boat Steering Help

[lsufan334]

Hey guys just bought a boat today and it is having some steering issues (alot actually) I am pretty sure the cables need replacing. My question is what type of cable do I need exactly I have no idea what I am looking for. Im pretty sure I can replace just dont really know what to order. My boat is a 96 18' Nitro. It has what looks like two steering cables. What type of steering is this exactly? Thanks for any help.

[Nitrofreak]

If you can provide the numbers from your boat I can help you out with what to order and where to get them.

What is the steering doing that makes you think you need cables?

[Fishing Rhino]

Since nobody seems to complain when the steering is free, I'm going to assume the steering is stiff.

Try the simple and cheap stuff first.

Disconnect the steering from the motor. Does the motor turn freely on the pivot? If not, it could be as simple as greasing the pivot tube until grease appears at each end. If the motor is ok, turn the steering wheel leaving the cable mechanism disconnected from the motor.

If it's still tight, look for any sharp bends in the steering cables. It's possible someone replaced the cables with some that were not the proper length. Any sharp bends will produce a bind, making the steering stiff.

If the cables appear to be routed properly, it's possible the problem is in the wheel mechanism.

In many cases properly lubricating all components will solve the problem. If they have been dry for a while corrosion is another possibility. Corrosion can be a real stinker, since it like rust swells and eventually seizes completely. That may require disassembly and a good cleanup or replacement.

Some wheels used to have a tensioning device to hold the steering in place if you take your hands off the wheel. That was years ago. Today, I don't know.

If yours has one, it could be too tight.

[Jig Man]

There is a steering cable luber that you can build which might solve your problem. This site is picky about links so I will look it up and provide you info in a pm. I hope it is what you need.

[J Francho]

What are the issues first?

[Fishing Rhino]

There is a steering cable luber that you can build which might solve your problem. This site is picky about links so I will look it up and provide you info in a pm. I hope it is what you need.

Won't work in personal messages either. If the party is email enabled, send it to them in an email.

[Way2slow]

Good luck with all the lubers. There are a number of little tricks you can do to help free them up some, but nothing is going to work like a new set of cables. Then you can put your lubers on the keep usable a lot longer. Hopefully, you can replace them yourself because they are such a pain to replace, if a dealer does it, things are going to get very expensive. If you consider having a dealer do them, go ahead and invest in a new hydraulic system. If you install it yourself, you can convert it for about the same as paying a dealer to replace your cables.

Most cables will have a string of numbers near the helm end. This will give you the type and length, all the info you need to order two.

If you want to try and save a few bucks, many times it's only one that's bad and you can just replace it. The easiest way to tell is unbolt them from the helm and then undo them from the cross bar at the motor that hooks them together. Stick a screwdriver through the hole and push and pull each cabel. If it's a good cable is will work fairly easy, if they both are hard to push/pull, they are both bad.

The last time I bought a pair has been a couple of years and they were approx $150 each.

Couple of hints, sometimes they tie wrap wires/cables to them and sometimes they are tiewraped to loops in the boat so don't just go jerking on them. Tie some heavy nylon rope to each one and pull it through when you pull the cables out. When pulling the new one in, start under the console and pull toward the motor. Use paper and tape to build a tapper on the ends where the end comes out of the housing. This will help keep it from hanging everything coming through.

[Nitrofreak]

Good luck with all the lubers. There are a number of little tricks you can do to help free them up some, but nothing is going to work like a new set of cables. Then you can put your lubers on the keep usable a lot longer. Hopefully, you can replace them yourself because they are such a pain to replace, if a dealer does it, things are going to get very expensive. If you consider having a dealer do them, go ahead and invest in a new hydraulic system. If you install it yourself, you can convert it for about the same as paying a dealer to replace your cables.

Most cables will have a string of numbers near the helm end. This will give you the type and length, all the info you need to order two.

If you want to try and save a few bucks, many times it's only one that's bad and you can just replace it. The easiest way to tell is unbolt them from the helm and then undo them from the cross bar at the motor that hooks them together. Stick a screwdriver through the hole and push and pull each cabel. If it's a good cable is will work fairly easy, if they both are hard to push/pull, they are both bad.

The last time I bought a pair has been a couple of years and they were approx $150 each.

Couple of hints, sometimes they tie wrap wires/cables to them and sometimes they are tiewraped to loops in the boat so don't just go jerking on them. Tie some heavy nylon rope to each one and pull it through when you pull the cables out. When pulling the new one in, start under the console and pull toward the motor. Use paper and tape to build a tapper on the ends where the end comes out of the housing. This will help keep it from hanging everything coming through.

REALLY? They make conversion kits for older boats to hydraulic? I have never seen them, do you have any info on where to look?

[Jig Man]

If you convert to hydraulic you better dig deep into your pocket.

[Way2slow]

Do a s search, there are bunches of SeaStar Pro HK7400A systems for $700 - $800. Some are with, some are without the hoses, if they are without, hose kits are approx $90. This will give you everthing you need to take the cable system out and install the hydraulic system.

I didn't check the specs put I think the 5345 cylinder that comes in that kit is rated for up to 300 hp. I would not get a BayStar system, they are smaller and cheaper because they are rated for much less hp, but the 7400 kit is a proven system and holds up very well.

Diggin deep, that's paying a dealer to install two new cables. $800 to get rid of the cable system is not digging that deep when you look at the fact you may be doing it again in a few years.

Oops, depends on your steering wheel That may need some help. A nice tilt helm can cost you another $125

[Sfritr]

Do a s search, there are bunches of SeaStar Pro HK7400A systems for $700 - $800. Some are with, some are without the hoses, if they are without, hose kits are approx $90. This will give you everthing you need to take the cable system out and install the hydraulic system.

I didn't check the specs put I think the 5345 cylinder that comes in that kit is rated for up to 300 hp. I would not get a BayStar system, they are smaller and cheaper because they are rated for much less hp, but the 7400 kit is a proven system and holds up very well.

Diggin deep, that's paying a dealer to install two new cables. $800 to get rid of the cable system is not digging that deep when you look at the fact you may be doing it again in a few years.

Oops, depends on your steering wheel That may need some help. A nice tilt helm can cost you another $125

He is dead on with his estimated costs.

I had my steering cables replaced about two years ago (from a solid mechanic) and the cost was over $700. My guy is honest and very reasonable when it comes to pricing. In fact, had I listened to Way2Slow sooner I would have converted to hydraulic. The work was all but done when I asked about it and couldn't pay for them to disassemble what they had just put into my boat.

Next time I will definately have it changed over.

[FD.]

I have a 92 Stratos Hull with a 2002 Evinrude 225. I did the Sea star conversion earlier this spring. I wish I would have done it sooner. It only took my daughter and I about 3 hours to do it in the back yard. It took me longer to get the old rack and pinion steering out than it did to put the new hydralic in.

Now its a piece of cake to trailer and navigate in a crowd.

Sea star will have the right cylinder listed by your motor. The only thing you need to know is how long your cables are. I took my cable length and added a foot and that worked out great. Only a few tools are needed and if you can change spark plugs and actually read directions you should be fine doing it yourself. The only thing remotely difficult is bleeding the lines, and that was not too bad. You need two people and some patience.

[Jig Man]

I'm sorry for not defining deep, but $1000 is very deep in my pockets.