Steering seized on my boat. Anyone know anything about cable steering systems? EDIT: All good now, thanks for all the advice!!

Yeah, I know that they break some times....thats all.

.

Probably need a new cable. They get water up inside the outer cable sheath and can corrode up. Try taking it off (the cable) and get some good penetrating oil inside the sheath around the cable.

The cable seems fine, I managed to free that up, but I can't work out how it attaches to the piston which won't move at all.
It's really pissing me off, I wanted to go fishing at least once this year, the mechanics I've spoken to are booked till way into the new year.
Next step is getting a torch onto the damn thing and seeing if heating it up will free it?

First off, make sure there is no 'lock' on the motor to keep it from turning while trailering...

I have even seen 'locks' under the dash behind the steering wheel for the same purpose...

Then, are you talking 'cables and pulleys', or is it a single cable 'rack and pinion'?

That's the kicker mate. No matter what I loosen I can't seem to figure out how to detach the damn cable.
It's inside a steel tube that is now sliding OK, I've left that soaking in WD overnight, but I can't really get a penetrant into the piston anywhere.

Thanks for taking the time mate.
I've looked all around the wheel, there's a kind of casing under the wheel that the cable comes out of, but I can't find a switch or screw, or really anything adjustable at that end at all.

Shut up you...

So it is one big thick 'cable', with a rack and pinion under the dash?

If so, seriously look for a lock of some type on the motor, or where the 'cable' comes across the transom...

Pics would help, or a link to something that looks like it online...

:shhh: you have mail.

Oh, and also, I took the steering arm off the piston and pulled the end of the cable out of the mount (as far as it would come, it doesn't seem to actually detach).
The wheel answers now, and the end of the cable is moving, but the piston that attaches to the steering arm won't budge a mm (even with "persuasion").

Yeah, that's the setup.
My first thought was a lock of some kind.
Man if that's what it is, they camouflaged that sucker pretty well.
I pulled the whole thing out and even let the motor drop down but that didn't help me at all, I just had the same problem with no leverage.
I'll have another look though.
I was getting pretty pissed off and may have missed something, maybe a fresh pair of eyes...

If I can't fix it I might take a few pics and bump this thread.
Thanks a lot mate.

Seems as though you have found it...

On most motors, there is a connection on the far end to remove the rod (comes out towards the cable)...

If that is tight, you can try heat and penetrating oil...

Once the rod is out and in your hands, degrease the rod, and inspect for burring or rust...If you find either, use emery cloth, or 0000 steel wool to polish, and set aside...

The 'barrel' where the rod rides will have to be cleaned, just like the barrel of a gun...Use a round nylon brush, and degreaser...

If this is pitted with rust, you'll have to make do or replace...

Coat the rod with quality grease, and insert and remove 2-3 times while cleaning the excess off...

Should be good to go as long as you keep oil on the internal cable and on the rod...There should be a grease zerk on the 'barrel' housing...

You should be able to find a schematic for your motor online that shows how to detach the rod for removal...

Thanks Snake.
I had hoped for an easier answer, but it seems I'll have to get a torch onto it.
Probably just going to end up buying a whole new part, but I'll give it a go. Won't be the first thing I busted trying to fix it.
I suppose I should have expected it. It sat in an old guys driveway for 5 years.
Amazingly the motor runs like a champ. I guess I'll count my blessings.
Thanks for all the help.

It shouldn't take that much heat...

Old gunked up greaze can be pretty hard, and a bit of heat usually loosens it quickly...

I do suggest finding a schematic so you at least know which way the rod wants to come out, and how to detach it...

Bonne Chance!

Will do!

Is the engine on an up/down slide mount. If so it wont turn until you drop the engine into its normal down working position. Its a safety thing to stop the prop from chrewing through the transom if you pull the engine up while its still running.

If its not that detach the two steering arms (with the cable ends on), from the engine and see if it turns.

We have a '95 16footer a friend gave us which had been hit by a rough wave and capsized just off shore. He paid Sea Tow almost 3000 to retrieve the boat. Everything in this boat was seized up when we got it except the motor.

We removed the steering cable. Then put the end of the steering cable which attaches at the motor in a vice and grabbed a hold of the other end with a pair of vice grips and started turning it and turning it until it broke loose(We did turn it the same direction as the twist on the cable). The cable lasted a season and a half on the Gulf of Mexico. Going out at least 4 times a week. We had tried heat, lube and impact nothing was working at this point we figured we had nothing to lose.

After we freed it up we used Marvel Mystery Oil. Saved a few bucks for a while. Check online you can buy custom cable very reasonable.

Good Luck!

You know, I don't really know if I've got the thing down correctly.
I'll have a good look at that tomorrow!
Cheers!

Thanks for that.
I'm getting pretty close to the "nothing to lose" stage.
I've put a heap of pressure on the piston with vice grips, but not as much as I could have.
I didn't want to scratch it up, even on the crimped part.
That'll be the last resort!

OMFG. It's official, God hates me.
I left my tools out around my boat under blue skies ready for tomorrow.
It's now pouring rain.
Fair dinkum.

Man its like bicycle brake cables you know just pull them out lube them up and shit maybe one snapped its not rocket science some have the rudder tied with rope you know.

Oh get fucked.....

Yes, yes. He's hilarious.
It's having that second head that does it, they tell each other funny jokes all day.

I don't know anything about boats other than I like to ride on them.

What do ya say Zero, gimme a ride?

LOL


p.s sounds like you have a frayed cable somewhere in the steering.

Deb... It's a little sudden, but SURE!
Come on down and I'll give you a... ride?