Replacing steering cable

[plaiming]

i have a 1999 21v that will soon need a new steering cable. i have received conflicting information as to whether this is a feasible owner repair. apparently, the gas tank is positioned in such a way to require it to be lifted out to replace and route the steering cable. has anyone replaced a cable on a v-drive without doing this? im just curious why you cant disconnect the old one, pull a rope through, and attach the new one and pull that through?

[Tip]

Is it normal to need a new cable after only five years? -Tip

[plaiming]

im not sure its normal, but from what i've heard, my year boat (1999) was engineered in such a way that the pooling water in the bottom of the boat slowly washes out the lubrication in the sealed cable, more so that in a boat where the cable was routed a different way. i only know of this second hand from a friend who had his 21v cable replaced under warranty because the steering got so difficult to turn. ours has been pretty bad for several years but we have just chosen to live with it. all i know for sure is that our steering is pretty bad and needs to be fixed.

[Tip]

That's unfortunate. What year is your friend's 21v?

Good luck with you new cable. -Tip

[plaiming]

same as mine, 1999. it was a couple years back he had this done.

[shane]

I have a 1999 2200V. I just had the steering cable greased this year. I have not experienced any steering problems, knock on wood. How did you know the cable was bad?

[plaiming]

the steering is so tight it takes two hands to turn the wheel. perhaps we could have gotten away with greasing the cable, but we've let it go so long its probably beyond that point now....

[Matt Garcia]

Have you checked your rudder? I had the same issue as you (took two hands to turn the wheel) and while I thought it was just the cable I was totally wrong. Turns out that I had a bent rudder and shaft. :mad: I only noticed it while turning the boat and nothing else. Don’t know if the previous owner left it like that or if it was something I did but either way it is fixed now.

[plaiming]

was it noticably bent? ill take a look again today but i dont think it is. anyway, has anyone done this steering cable change themselves. maybe i need to post over in the general forum.

[Tige M.D.]

The steering cable in your 21v can be replaced without removing the fuel tank. Just takes some patience. The large nut that holds the cabe to the steering tube under the engine is what tends to give you a fight on its way out. As for the life of a steering cable, 3-5 years is respectible. This depends on how much water is in the bilge and if it is freshwater or saltwater.

[plaiming]

great, so you are saying that the service guys that told me the gas tank would need to be removed are misinformed??

[Matt Garcia]

I had to replace my steering cable along with the other stuff that and the gas tank did not have to be removed.

[plaiming]

cool, ill let you all know how it goes....do you remember the length of the cable you bought?

if there are any other tips before i get started (best cable to use, tools,etc..) id love to hear them...

[Matt Garcia]

plaiming, the dealer did all the work. Sorry I couldn't help out.

[Tige M.D.]

1999 21v takes a 17' rotary cable. The original cable is made by Morse. They closed their doors a couple of years ago. The new cable will be from Teleflex.

tools: fish tape. cresent wrench, 7/16" wrench, needle nose pliers, electrical tape, and patience, lots of patience.

Do not remove the tube that the cable goes through under the engine, just the large nut that hold the cable to it. Removing the 4 bolts that clamp the tube to the bottom of the boat will open up a big can of worms for you.

Any more questions call me 909/737-9801 Greg

[maroco]

I am about to replace the Cable in a 2001 21v and i bought the boat about 6 months ago from a guy that did not take good care of it. It is very hard to turn and I was wondering when i get this replaced how good will it be. Mastercraft boats are so easy to turn i can do it with one finger. The V drive boats seem a little harder even on mastercraft but i am just wondering how this will compare after the cable is replaced with one from the tige dealership?

[Tip]

I have a 22v and I can easily turn it with one finger (just don't let go of the wheel when you going more than 20mph)

[Sammamish22V]

I have a '03 22V and need to replace my cable. So Teleflex is the manufacture for this? Anyone know what the cost is for a steering cable and the cheapest place to buy one?

[Boarder_X]

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/overtons/order/items2.cgi?request=aisle&catnum=2C15A

[Sammamish22V]

Thanks BoarderX. Any idea what model to use for a 2003 22V?

[Boarder_X]

I don't know.

But if you use electrical tape, tape a piece of string to the old one. Pull it out. This will leave the string in it's place. When you have it removed, leave the string there. Cut the string off, and them measure the cable. Order the new one, and then use the string to replace cable. .... Tape the string to the new cable, and then slowly and gently pull it into place. It shouldn't take too long to remove the old one. Measuring should only take a few min. So you could make a two day task out of it.

[Sammamish22V]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will make sure I follow those directions.

[Sammamish22V]

Ok, I found the part number. In case anyone else has this problem, It takes an 18’ steering cable Teleflex part number SSC13418.

[Boarder_X]

Did you get the old one out ok?

[Sammamish22V]

I haven't done it yet. I need to order this new part and wait for it to come in. I have found it as low as $100, so not too bad. I am sure it would be at least a $500 fix at the dealer.

[Boarder_X]

At least.

I spent some time fixing some things on my boat over the spring. I know that I saved a TON of money doing it myself. Not only that, but I was outside, enjoying the weather. I also learned quite a bit. I really did have some fun. The clincher is though, the satisfaction you get, when you fix something. You look around, and smile. .... (While thinking, "I fixed that.")

Good luck, and keep us updated.

[yllw20]

just changed mine on 03 20i. used the 17' teleflex cable should cost you around $100 or so. it wasnt that hard just time consuming as first time doing it. I tied the rope thru to help fish the new one back. big difference in how easy to turn now, just like on delivery day.

[Boarder_X]

yllw20,

Where did you get your cable? I was posting on here, trying to help others out. I went out the other day, and the steering was really hard. I think I'm going to need to replace the cable.

... Did you just order the 17' teflex from Overton's?

Thanks,

Robb

[Boarder_X]

Lee, MD,

Overton's also has steering cable lube. Is this a waste of time? .. Just replace the cable, or try the lube first?

Robb

[ghollow]

I had to replace my steering cable last year. I found a brand new one on EBAY for about half what my dealer was going to charge me.

[Ruune]

Replaced mine in Feb- 2004 22v. Tigé picked up the cost for the parts, but I paid labor... after looking to see what a pain in the arse it is to get to the cable and rudder. I think it was $134 for the labor only. Still, I'd rather pay someone to do it right than sit there and screw around with it myself- especially for something thats a potential safety hazard (if not done properly!).


oh... and keep that finger on the wheel! :D :p :D

[dogbert]

I think parts and labor is about $300.

You don't want to let water sit in your bilge for a long time (like days or weeks)...otherwise you end up with corrosion on the end of the cable.

[rjva]

Any ideas where I can find one?