Boats Steering System Noises

T

Tug

New member
Today when I was out fishing , I had to turn the steering wheel hard to Port to avoid a boat ahead of me fighting a Salmon. I was only going trolling speed and when I turned the steering wheel a couple of turns there was a loud metallic sounding spinning noise coming from the helm area. I looked behind the helm expecting to see something broken hanging there but all was intact. The steering seems to work okay other than the strange noise it made.I suspect that this is the original rotary steering system that come with the boat 29 years ago when it was built new. Has this happened to anyone else and does anyone know what this noise could of been . Thanks Tug.
 
Likely just an extremely tired cable. 10 years is likely a good lifespan. I'd put changing the cable on this years to do list. This cable must have got regular lubrication to do so well. Or dry climate. Here on the coast they won't last that long.
 
I am bringing the boat home today to give her a good cleaning, I will see if I can find the steering cable ID Numbers and order another cable. If I can not replacing it will have to wait until the end of September when I put my boat out for the season. Than I can take the steering cable out of the boat and order another. Thanks Tug
 
Tug,

When my old 1983 CD Classic had the steering fail for the 2nd time I replaced it with hydraulic. My cable steering lasted about 10 yrs for each one. The hydraulic is still doing fine.
If you ever change to hydraulic you will wonder why you had not done it sooner.
The biggest PITA about it is the motor has to be loosened so it can be turned to remove the old cable and to install the hydraulic assembly. I borrowed and old engine hoist to do it. I did it myself and it was worth the effort.
 
When I brought my boat home today to wash it I looked and looked but there is no number on the steering cable. It just has a red plastic jacket with nothing on it. I think I have a Mores Steering System, anyway it says Mores on the steering wheel collar. I will just have to measure the cable and order another one. Jack
 
I finally found the numbers on the steering cable and it turns out that Teleflex does not have replacement cable for the old Morse steering cables. Looks like I need to upgrade to a new steering system. I like the Teleflex NFB 4.2 rotary Steering System but the question is:::: will it fix behind the helm. Any thoughts on this?. Thanks Tug
 
I think it's the Morse 2 Rotary with the Red Command 2 cable, even if its the other two Morse Rotary systems all three are obsolete. Brian from Jamestown Distributers said no were no such replacement cables for the old Morse systems and that I needed to replace the complete system with a Teleflex NFB 4.2 Rotary System ( SS14719). Thing is I do not known if this will fit behind the helm. Thanks Tug
 
I order a ( SS 14719 ) Teleflex NFB 4.2 Rotary Steering Kit PLUS a 20 Degree bezel and a New Teleflex steering wheel from Amazon all for about $ 75 less than James Town. I looked at Ebay but I didn't want to buy a used cable. It should be fun putting it in if it fits. Tug.
 
You will not believe the difference once it's installed. I replaced one on a boat i had and wow i did not recognize how bad the old one had gotten.
 
I finally installed the Teleflex NFB 4.2 Rotary system, I had to move the motor over an inch or two to get the steering cable to pass into the engine tube, I also had to make the hole larger where all the cables pass through .
Yesterday I took the boat for a short ride to check out the new steering . it was terrible, the steering was really..really hard to turn.....my cable length is 19 feet. I may of been able to use an 18 foot cable but I would of been a tight fit.....not sure what the problem could be, any ideas. thanks Tug
 
I talked to Teleflex again and this time I spoke to the correct person in steering and cables, he gave me some helpful advice and things to check to correct the problem. I will see if that helps.
If not Hydraulic Steering may be another option, is there a kit that will be suitable for my 1985 Classic Angler. Tug
 
Tug,

Unless you plan to install an autopilot (which are BTW wonderful), I'd stick with the cable system and get it to work properly. Hydraulic steering is nice (I have it on my Tomcat) but comes with it's own set of problems and additional maintenance. Cable is pretty simple.
 
I fixed the problem and the Steering Wheel is easier to turn. It appears that the cable was bound up ( sticking somewhere ). and after talking the boat for a short ride and vigorously turning the wheel from Port to Starboard numerous times it freed itself. Knock on wood. Now to get back to the more important things in life, boating and fishing. Thanks for all your help. Tug
 
Went out fishing Friday morning, mostly to check out the steering . The problem I thought I fixed is back , very difficult to turn the wheel. I will try disconnecting the cable from the helm and the engine link arm and pull and push on the cable to see if it moves freely, I may have a bad cable. I will also give the engine tilt tube a very good cleaning.The fishing is really bad here so I might pull my boat for the season and get this fixed properly for next year. Tug
 
Back
Top