Frozen Steering

[Van]

Originally Posted by Motor Fish

Still no luck. I'm hesitant to cut the cable, don't quite know what I'm getting into.

On a scale of 1 to 10, where would you rate the complexity of replacing a steering cable?

Are replacement parts pretty standard?

Thanks for all the help. Just trying to guage what I'm getting into.

The cable is easy to replace, I am doing mine because its gotten a bit stiff. Not in the tilt tube, but within the cable. There should be a stamped/painted part number on the cable at the helm end maybe a foot or two down. Just type that number into google products and VIOLA !!!
Something like (SSC or QC (quick connect)) with a four digit number the last two numbers are the length. I found mine on ebay cheap.

The cables are typically around 70-90 bucks online.

I am lucky because I modified the motor well to get the cable in WITHOUT moving the engine (that would suck!!!!!)... So replacing for me is easy. I can't tell you how it will be for you. You have to have enough room to pull the rod straight and fully out of the tube without bending it (that is assuming it comes free). If you can get the old one out that way, the new one will go in the same. Feed the new one through the boat from the stern toward the helm go past the helm so you can get it in the tilt tube first, and bolted on. Then you just spin the wheel to pull the pigtail end into the helm, then bolt on the cable end to the helm. Your done.

When I'm done reassembling, I'll post a pic of what I use to get long life out of these cables. I have not had to remove the cable in years and it still did not get stuck in the tilt tube. I think it just wore out internally.

[Van]

Finished the steering cable install today and i took a couple of pics to show how I keep it working well.

The bellows is neoprene and last forever. It keeps water off the tube and rod and also keeps grease form dripping down into the well.

On the cable side I added the "steering buddy". It lubricates the internal of the cable not in the tilt tube. It increases the life of the cable. I am powered with a 175 rude and there is alot of torque. The mechanical steering is tough but works just fine for me ..and it builds .

[Mr. Sandman]

Those cables are a PIA. Remove and replace, don't f' with it.

That steering on the verado is the way to go.

[Van]

Originally Posted by Mr. Sandman

Those cables are a PIA. Remove and replace, don't f' with it.

That steering on the verado is the way to go.

Steer by wire? Right.
Its throttle and shift by wire too if I'm not mistaken.

Very slick, no heavy hoses or cables....

[Mr. Sandman]

slightly OT :
I was never a merc fan but I had to make a loooong run (several hundred miles) with one on a delivery of sorts, it was one of the most comfortable OB's I have ever run.

The "slick" part is the very well integrated display which you can set digitally...ie, you set each engine(s) to run at 2550 rpm...perfectly and stay there, like a cruise control of sorts. It is nice when you use it and simple to figure out. Not to mention you can monitor everything (I mean everything, including history) from the display. As for the steering, you send a digital signal to the motor, the hydraulic steering unit is built into the OB housing, the only thing connecting the motor to the helm are wires. I know many old timers will balk at this idea and say "I would rather have push pull or hydraulic lines"...but don't knock it until you try this. Also, I have found the old mechanical approach has problems over time and is stiff to operate and they do leak fluid. A Lot of OB cables suffer the engine tilt syndrome...cables are like paper clips, there are only so many times you can bend them like that before they break.
This thing is like driving a video game. You have to increase the steering resistance if you desire more friction.
Again, I was skeptical and somewhat negative on all this fly by wire stuff but I am a believer now after making a few long runs with them, my next rig will have this stuff. I am sure all the other ob makers will follow suit. I notice now that Volvo is doing a very similar thing on their new diesels too.

[wrench]

Verado's do not use fly by wire for the steering. The steering is a hydraulic with a power assist from a electric pump.

The throttle is fly by wire thou, and is slick. Once you run one you will never go back to (Fred Flintstone)cable actuated shifting/throttle again.


Mike