Tight steering

[foulpole18]

My buddies boat the steering is super tight and hard to turn. Was wondering how hard it is to fix or replace the cable from the steering wheel to the motor? Or if there is anything else a guy could try to fix it.

Thanks

[boatfixer]

You can try disconnecting the drag link at the motor to isolate the problem, but most of the time you will find the cable to be the problem, if so replace it.

[Deitz Dittrich]

boaty is right, I have tried to re-lube the inside of the cable, and it does help, but only for a short period of time. Your much better off replacing the cables.

[foulpole18]

Thanks guys. That kinda what we were thinking was going to be the case. How hard is replacing the cables generally.

Thanks

[Wanderer]

That all depends on the boat and motor.

I did the cables on my Ranger once. The hardest part was getting them pulled through the boat. Other than that the terminations on the ends aren't tough. Hopefully you don't need to thread them much.

It can be done with some patience. Just don't do it within earshot of women and children.

[Deitz Dittrich]

as said, the hardest part is getting the cables back through. I suggest tie/tape the old cables to the new ones, so you pull the other through.. But do it with tapered ends so it fits though easily.

[candiru]

I have done that myself. Like they said snaking the cable out and in was the toughest. It depends on what other cables/wires it is bundled with and what it goes through. On mine I had to take it out and then get part numbers and measure it so I could get a replacement. I ended up ordering one online. You could be out of action for a little while.

[marine_man]

The biggest hassle with replacing steering cables is how much room you have right next to the rh side of the motor. If you have a deep splashwell that's just wide enough for the motor you won't have the space you'll need to remove the old cable or install the new one without removing the motor.

If you've got ample space to the RH side of the motor it's more of a hassle / headache than it is hard.

marine_man