The steering cable on my boat seized up and, well sort of, busted. I have a 16 ft aluminum bass boat with a 50 hp mariner outboard. (Late 80's model motor) Just thought I would see if yall had any suggestions on getting another cable for cheap. Are all steering cables the same? When I have looked on other boats/motors, the connection looks identical. The only real difference I could see may be the length of cable due to different lengths of boats. I was thinking maybe I could find a used one somewhere. Let me know what yall think

It is a beetch to do it yourself, be prepared for plenty of cursing. My dad got to the point where he just takes it in to get done. Maybe it is different on a bass boat from a flats boat, but not worth the trouble in his book.

They don't cost that much. $100, $150. Teleflex makes them, and they have a pretty standardized set of fittings on each end. Is your steering unit rotary or rack? (round or long and flat?)

How'd you break the cable? They're pretty heavy duty. I have an 11 footer in my garage I'm not using, actually. I had to replace it with a 12 footer when I upgraded outboards.

Yeah, running them through badly designed or laid out chase tubes is a pain in the ass. I did my own when I built my skiff. You sometimes have to remove everything else out of the chase first because the steering and control cables are the stiffest, and need to go in first. You'll have to run a fish cord through the chase tube. I tie mine in a loop and leave a tie off hanging off, then duct tape the end of the cable to the tie off so it is bullet shaped at the end, and will pull easier.

Don't mess around with a used cable, they can break while you are running wide open and cause big problems. You need to measure the cable and order a new one. Might be able to save a few bucks by buying on ebay or a discount outboard parts website. The last one I replaced about five years ago was not too difficult. Took about an hour. I attached the new cable to the old one and fished it through, then attached both ends.

Im not sure I know what you mean, "rack or rotary." It just runs from the steering wheel where it screws in to the motor mount, where it screws into the steering unit. I will post a pic below

i believe it just like this:
http://www.boatstoreusa.com/img/0543D.jpg


ok i now know its a "rack and pinion"

for some reason it wont load pics


MouthBQ - If its the appropriate length, would you be interested in selling your cable? I am posting my email below in case I run out of posts.

mikey585601@yahoo.com






[This message has been edited by inthebushes (edited 4/16/2009 10:06a).]

[This message has been edited by inthebushes (edited 4/16/2009 10:08a).]

[This message has been edited by inthebushes (edited 4/16/2009 10:08a).]

quote:

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Don't mess around with a used cable, they can break while you are running wide open and cause big problems

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+1 Trident. Steering cables can cost you your life! It happens and has happened here locally more than once.

just talked to the guy at the marine and he says they have em and its $140.00.

Replaced mine last summer on a 13 foot ski boat. Took about two hours. The huge b**ch was getting the old one disconnected from the engine and the new one installed on the engine. Everything else was pretty simple. I could probably do it in 30 minutes now knowing what I know. Experience is the best teacher! What size do you need? I have a rack & pinion one that I bought that was too short. Brand new...if interested.

Sure, if you're local. It is an 11 foot (need to double check) teleflex that is in pretty decent shape. It was used on a little 25 HP I used to have, so it never got beat up or strained in any way. It's been kept greased.

If you're not in the general Houston area, it's probably going to be worth ordering a new one. They're not that expensive. If the length is too short, you won't have a choice. You can use a too long cable, so long as it isn't more than a foor or two.

Mine is for the teleflex rotary steer systems, like the Saf-t-q or Saf-t-II, but it may also work in the teleflex rack. If it'll work for you, I'll give it to you for a 12 pack of Shiner Bock, or something like that.

I used a piece of stiff hose folloing the path the cable would require to determine the length of cable I needed, but usually the old broken cable will tell you what size the replacement should be. If you can get a picture of your steering unit, and the end of your cable, I'll be able to tell you pretty quick if its even worth your trouble.

A public service announcement: If your steering cable breaks while underway, you should know pretty quickly. Shift to neutral and prepare to reverse if needed. You CAN get back to the ramp..it may just take a while, because you'll have to put your boat at a low speed and physically steer your outboard by manhandling the unit itself from the transom.

[This message has been edited by MouthBQ98 (edited 4/16/2009 2:03p).]