Steering cable replacement

Seaveyor · #1 04-12-2015, 06:16 AM

I have a 1986 model. On a scale of 1 to 10 ( 10 being the most difficult ) how hard is it to replace the cable. I would like to know the length cable I will need. I was looking in a catalog and it did mention old style, I'm not sure what that means. Any help would be appreciated.

THEFERMANATOR · #2 04-12-2015, 09:15 AM

Each boat is different as far as which cable and how to change it. If you can turn the steering to the left all the way(pull the steering linkage into the tilt tube as far as you can), and get the cable out without pulling the engine, it isn't to bad of a job. Unfortunatley most steering cables anymore require pulling the engine to get it out of the tilt tube on the engine, in which case you will need a hoist to pick the engine off the transom. As to the length, it should be stamped on the cable about 2 feet from the end either at the helm or engine side. And for the new VS old style connection, look at your helm hookup. If yours uses a nut to hold it to the helm, it is an old style cable and will require an adapter to use a new cable. If it has a pin to hold the cable in or some other connection method other than a threaded nut on the end of the cable, then it is a new style helm connection.

phatdaddy · #3 04-12-2015, 10:36 AM

you don't mention what type you have, but i'd replace the helm also and get the NFB type.

Seaveyor · #4 04-12-2015, 05:17 PM

Guys, thanks for the answers. This morning I got to the boat and found out a lot. The helm is a Teleflex SH5023 with the aforementioned nut. Taking the rod off the engine is easy, it is a new engine and they had the rod out when they installed the engine. The steering is somewhat hard, I'm just going to replace the cable. I had a carolina skiff that had bad steering and it was a ***** to take out and install. This job does not look too bad as I have plenty of room to access the nut and cable. My supplier has the cable in stock, he did not mention old or new cable. Thanks again.

THEFERMANATOR · #5 04-12-2015, 07:33 PM

If it is semi easy to get teh cable out, pull it from the engine and try turning the wheel then and see if it is still stiff. I know on mine I thought I had a bad cable, but it ended up being a rusted tilt tube. And it really isn't that much more money to buy a complete steering kit with a no feedback helm online now.

bradford · #6 04-13-2015, 08:11 AM

If the cable is good and turns freely when removed from the engine, do a search on here, Stinky Hooker had a step by step thread where he reamed out his steering tube with a wooden dowel and some steel wool. Had pics too.