Mechanical steering

steplift20 · #1 01-10-2016, 09:40 AM

As you know I am having a problem with my steering, it's very hard turning, I have on there now a nfb system and it's not very old maybe 5 years so I think I'm going to change it , my question is this, if it was you would you use a nfb system again or go with something else any imput would be greatly appreciated I don't want to use hydronic steering cause of the price and the install so that's out Thanks

THEFERMANATOR · #2 01-10-2016, 12:28 PM

Find out why yours is stiff. The NFB helm is used on LOTS of boats with no problems. Sounds like you have a tilt tube issue to me if your steering is tight. I have the NFB teleflex on my skiff with a 75HP HONDA, and it got stiff and ended up being the tilt tube was rusted internally. Had to pull the engine off the transom to get teh cable out, swapped the tilt tube with a stainless one I had out of my old EVINRUDE, and have great steering now.

steplift20 · #3 01-10-2016, 01:12 PM

I don't think it's the tilt tube , that was replaced too about five years ago

phatdaddy · #4 01-10-2016, 01:52 PM

i think you only have a couple of non-hydraulic choices. the conventional teleflex. the nfb, and the rack system. i have only had the first two and love the nfb. not much more than conventional in price and a good inexpensive answer to hyd.

steplift20 · #5 01-10-2016, 04:26 PM

Phat and your steering is easy? Mine is very very hard You need two hands to turn the wheel

inaforty · #6 01-10-2016, 04:57 PM

I'm thinking Ferm is on the right track with his post.
I replaced our NFB on our old V.
All it took was three season to freeze up the steering at the tilt tube.

BTW the NFB that I install in 2009 is still in good working order. It does get sticky and needs to be lubed and freed up from time to time.

Hopefully that it's just the tilt tube rust that causing the binding in the steering.

phatdaddy · #7 01-10-2016, 05:18 PM

Steering is very easy. Slightly tighter than non nfb helm. I thought you determined it was the cable and we're going to replace the helm & cable.
You've done this and it's still stiff?

THEFERMANATOR · #8 01-10-2016, 07:34 PM

First thing to do is to take the cable loose from the engine. If it's still tight then the next step is to pull the cable out of the tilt tube, if it's still tight take the cable loose from the helm and see if the helm is tight. I've seen tilt tubes go bad in just a few months if a regular steel one was used and not kept greased. I know HONDA only sells a steel one, thats why I had to swap one in out of an EVINRUDE. Same length, same OD, but HONDA used a metric nut on the one side. So swapped over to the EVINRUDE SAUe nut, and the stainless tilt tube went right in. There is no reason for a NFB helm to be stiff. The only thing it shouldn't do is allow the engine to easily turn the helm, but when you turn it at the helm it should easily turn.

steplift20 · #9 01-10-2016, 08:48 PM

I didn't change the cable yet but I did disconnect it from the engine side and cleaned it and greased it it does slide very easy in the tube and the engine turns side to side disconnected fron the steering arm so now I'm thinking it the cable or helm the other issue I have is I don't want to remove the engine from the transom to install a new cable, I'm thinking if I can replace the cable without removing the engine
I just want it right I always had a issue with the steering Got it good once but that didn't last long

randlemanboater · #10 01-11-2016, 11:03 PM

In the Keys the other day I was docking and a guy came over to ask what steering I had because he saw how effortless I was turning the motor back and forth spinning the boat in the tight basin.

The reply? NFB. Get yours sorted out and it will be great.

I think I replaced my cable without removing the motor...but I can't remember for sure...let me see if I can find the thread.