Mechanical Steering

dotnmarty · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 5:49 pm Post subject: Mechanical Steering

About how much time will it take to remove the Teleflex steering on our 16 footer and replace it with a new identical cable system?. Neither my son nor I have done it before, but it seems pretty straight forward. Thanks.

oldgrowth · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 8:54 pm Post subject:

Marty – I pulled my steering cable because I am putting in hydraulic steering. It was straightforward and I did not time it, but it was less than an hour. It will take somewhat longer to install a new one. I would suggest when you pull it you hook a wire or heavy string to the cable so you will have something to pull the new one back through.

My old cable is in very good condition (looks new). If you would be interested in it, let me know and it is yours.
_________
Dave

Dora~Jean · Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:53 pm Post subject:

Not sure I'd trust a person's time estimates from one who cuts boats in half and has them back together in a few weeks -- watertight! Laughing

dotnmarty · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:14 am Post subject:

Dave-Thanks for your kind offer. I sent you a PM about it. Thanks also for the tip about attaching a guideline.

Steve-You're right. We better set aside a weekend for the job.

thataway · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:16 pm Post subject:

Replaced the cable and the non feed back steering unit in an 18 foot Center Console in about 3 hours. Be sure that you have all of the fittings you need when you start--the biggest time is often running back to the store for extra nuts and bolts etc....As noted one of the clues is to be sure that you can follow the new cable right behind the old one. I like to use duct tape and wire to hold the cables together and make it just push/pull thru.

dotnmarty · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:29 pm Post subject:

Bob-Thanks for the duct tape hint. You know this is all your doing. I'm following your suggestion from quite a while ago when I asked for opinions about clicking when the wheel turns. Shortly after you told me how to proceed a fellow C-Brat graciously gave me a brand new Teleflex, that he had no need for. The C-Brat gods have been good to me and, my wisecracks aside, I am thankful. I wish I could contribute at least a portion of what I have gotten from this site.

tom&shan · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 316 Photos: Dakota

Marty,

It only took me 4 weeks to replace mine on my 16 Angler. It was a little difficult to get out of the engine bracket, it didnt look like it had been pulled out to be greased in about 12 years, so it was a little sticky. Had to use a mallet and steel pin to pound it out. Also, I bought the wrong cable based on incorrect information in the C-Dory owners manual, went back with the old cable and laid it out on the floor to match it with another new one. Then once I got home found out the gearbox was different from the old one, and it was missing the bolts. Got the new bolts, but the steering collar was parrallel version, I like the angled version I had on the old one, so had to customize my solution. And of course when I finally put it all back together, I feed the cable into the gear box from the top hole instead of the bottom hole, giving me the ability to turn the wheel to port and have the boat go to starboard. Pulling it out and refeeding it was a quick fix. So, overall it was very simple and straight forward and like I said only took me four weeks. I should go work at that place Roger takes his boat.

Tom

dotnmarty · Posted: Fri Apr 06, 2007 10:36 pm Post subject:

Tom- I'm proud of you! As we say in NJ..'yadungud'. I'll block off a 4 week chunk of time.