NO FEED BACK STEERING QUESTION

[randlemanboater]

I have NFB steering on my Starcraft, the new V has plain old steering.

My question is, can I just switch the helms and use the steering cable already in each respective boat, or are the cables unique to the helms.

Feed back is appreciated on this no feedback question.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Check to make sure that the cable atatchs the same on both helms. Most rotary helms atatch with a big clip to retain them. Also make sure both of your helms are the same, make sure you don't have a rack in one and a rotary in the other. But I believe the cables are the same, the changes were internal in the helm.

[Skools Out]

is the new one a Quick Connect Cable? and is the old cable a standard screw on style? they make an adapter to go both ways from old to new or opposite, you should be able to without any issues.

[msbhammer]

If it doesnt fit, SKOOL can make something that will make it fit. SKOOL is our dedicated Chop Shopper here. ;)

[Stinky_Hooker]

What skools said....

I just put a NFB helm in my 18 and the cable was the quick connect from a standard safe-T and fit fine.

I am replacing cable too because its getting stiff, but they do interchange.

[Mulv80]

Are these No Feedback systems worth it? I was just reading about them and had never really thought of one before. What are the benefits?

[Stinky_Hooker]

They require alot less effort to steer and when u move the wheel (with one finger usually) even a tiny bit it stays PUT. EX...You can be trolling and walk all around the boat and not worry about changing course. ;)

[phatdaddy]

I installed one a year ago & love it. Its probaly not a good as hydraulic, but now adding hyd got moved way down the list. When i priced locally, the helm & cable were cheaper as a kit . $150.

[randlemanboater]

Are these No Feedback systems worth it? *I was just reading about them and had never really thought of one before. *What are the benefits?

I love mine, you can get going (trolling or on plane) and take both hands off the wheel without having to worry about unexpected changes in course. Makes it much easier to open and eat cans of beenie weenies between fishing spots.

[randlemanboater]

Thanks for the info guys, I will add swapping helms to the to do list.

[bradford]

Just good old fashioned Armstrong power steering on my V ;)

[reelapeelin]

NFB is great...have had mine several years and next best thing to hydraulic ...but I gots a question...


...is there any adjustment to the helm??...when I 1st installed it, my motor stayed upright when towin', but now it'll lay over goin' down the road...can these helms be tightened up any??... still works GREAT on the water ;) ...

[Airslot]

I'm not aware of any adjustment. Mine lays over when I trailer most times, and I've got a stiff one, motor that is ;D THe downfall of my 88 merc is gonna be the steering, as the upper and lower bushing on the main shaft are gonzo.

[reelapeelin]

...the upper and lower bushing on the main shaft are gonzo.



How difficult to replace bushings??...



Slot, I've E-Mailed Teleflex w/ no response ... guess I oughtta drag my ol' butt out there and take a look to see if any adjustment...http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/indifferent/indifferent0028.gif (http://www.mysmiley.net) ...

[Airslot]

Powerhead has to come off, that ought to be easy on an 88' that's never been apart ;D Not helping matters is that she's a 20" motor, therefore she lives that much closer to the water. I've got one of the regions best merc guys as my neighbor. We've sat down and pulled the parts sheet out and I'd be lookin at about 500 in parts to replace everything that should be replaced during a major disassembly. Add in that she runs flat out awesome and I don't want to take her apart. She may not run that good again. In the last 4 years I've rebuilt the lower unit entirely, only piece reused was the driveshaft, 1 stator, and powertrim/tilt assembly replaced w/ a used one. I have to figure out where to draw the line as far as dumping money into an 88'. As for now, she purrs like a kitten... ;D

[reelapeelin]

Yup!!...long as you can live w/it, best leave 'er be ;) ...

[randlemanboater]

I pulled the NFB helm out of the Starcraft yesterday, I am going to attempt to install it in the V today when it warms up a bit.

[randlemanboater]

Well, its done. *It took until today to do it, but its done (I said I would do it today). *It really was not bad at all.

And for anyone wondering, the cable is the same for Teleflex Safe-T helms and the NFB helms.

You might need a puller to do the job.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/101_0090-1.jpg


Access the helm by removing glove box.


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/101_0093.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/101_0094-1.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/101_0092.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/101_0095-1.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/101_0096-1.jpg


You just push in and the cable is released, then turn the steering shaft until the cable comes out of the housing.


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/101_0097-1.jpg


You have to change the bracket, the NFB wont fit in the hole.


http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/101_0099-1.jpg

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/101_0102-1.jpg

[randlemanboater]

Here are the two helms together. *The one with the offset is the Safe-T.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/101_0098-1.jpg

[Airslot]

Nice work, nice pics, your gonna like it on the V. ;D

[brianct12]

Randle, * Nice work - *and I appreciate taking the time to post with pics. * I need to do the same thing this Spring. *I was thinking of purchasing just the NFB helm ... and re-using the same cable and bezel. * I see your photo shows a new bezel with the instructions "for use only with NFB helms". * Do you think the standard bezel I have now ... *would work with a 4.2 NFB helm ?
Thanks

ps .... uh-oh * I just realized you mentioned a new bracket was needed. *I was planning on re-using that as well. * Maybe my plans wont work out.

pss .... come to think of it ... the 4.2 NFB helm I was planning to use ... doesnt look like the one you installed. Was yours the one with 3 turns lock-to-lock, or 4.2 ? Just curious.

[randlemanboater]

The center of the NFB helm is just a little bit bigger than the other helm so it would not fit through the bracket. I don't see why you couldn't just reem it out a little to get it to fit. As for the bezel, I didn't really compare the two so I couldn't say, they didn't seem that different, it could be that it would need to be reemed out as well.

I do know that the three bolts holding the helm to the bracket were the same size but much different in lengths. The ones for the NFB were about 1 1/2 ", the others were about 3 ".

[randlemanboater]

As for 3 or 4.2, I don't know, I've been using it for almost 4 years and I don't know........I'll check it tomorrow and let you know.

Keep in mind that the boat was redone 2 years before I got it so that could be a 6 year old model that I have.

[Bygracealone]

Randleman,

I, too, want to thank you for posting the pics. I plan on installing mine sometime very soon. Hey, did you happen to take any pics in between the last two that you posted? Just curious.

Looks really good, by the way.

[randlemanboater]

I think this one.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/101_0100-1.jpg

[Bygracealone]

That helps. Thanks buddy.

[randlemanboater]

The NFB works just fine on the V. :)

[Skools Out]

ByGrace yours won't mount the same way lol just don't forget to keep all the stainless bolts and stuff i sent. i just hope it fits. i still remember how it mounts if ya need help i can talk you through it.

[Bygracealone]

Skools, I still got it all together in the same package you sent it in. I've been very careful with that stuff because I know I'd be in trouble if I lost it :P

I may be giving you a call in the next week or two. Once I finish a couple items on the honeydo list, it's back to the boat ;)

Thanks again bro. Steve