How to change a steering cable.

[chpthril]

This will be directed at the engineers that designed and approved the "Steering System" on 2007 RZ 22 and possibly others.
Why would Tige approve a steering system that in order to change out the steering cable you would need a ROTOZIP to cut out a large section of the deck below the dash, plus the floor mounted gas tank's mounts must be remove in order to maneuver the gas tank allowing removal the steering cable……………..?
Why does the steering cable lay on the bottom of the vessel’ bilge area allowing the cable to receive water, and within 3 to 6 months steering cable is stiff (due to corrosion cause by water). Our first Tige’ was a 1999 20ft: We operated this vessel for 5 plus years doing schedule maintenance, never replace the steering cable, or had any issues with this vessel.
At this time our 2007 RZ 2 has 195 motor hours with three steering cables replaced. At this time I’m replacing the 3rd steering cable because it broke approx 9” from the rack.
I would strongly recommend that the engineers at either Teleflex or Tige set down and designed a “Better Mouse Trap”.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Cant imagine a cable breaking unless it was under stress from a too tight of a radius. There are a couple of ways to prolong the life of your cable: As noted in most steering cable threads, the ideal install is to run the cable over the tank, instead of under as it was routed originally. 2nd, its been recommend to ground the cable to the engine. This prevents galvanic corrosion, as well as it has been found to build up some voltage through the rudder while the boat is under way.

[davidmamato]

2004 21i steering cable replacement??? best place to purchase part?? cable size?? part number?? any special instuctions??

[davidmamato]

Could anyone help with replacement of steering cable for 2004 21i?

[sigsigns@usmo.com]

This will be directed at the engineers that designed and approved the "Steering System" on 2007 RZ 22 and possibly others.
Why would Tige approve a steering system that in order to change out the steering cable you would need a ROTOZIP to cut out a large section of the deck below the dash, plus the floor mounted gas tank's mounts must be remove in order to maneuver the gas tank allowing removal the steering cable……………..?
Why does the steering cable lay on the bottom of the vessel’ bilge area allowing the cable to receive water, and within 3 to 6 months steering cable is stiff (due to corrosion cause by water). Our first Tige’ was a 1999 20ft: We operated this vessel for 5 plus years doing schedule maintenance, never replace the steering cable, or had any issues with this vessel.
At this time our 2007 RZ 2 has 195 motor hours with three steering cables replaced. At this time I’m replacing the 3rd steering cable because it broke approx 9” from the rack.
I would strongly recommend that the engineers at either Teleflex or Tige set down and designed a “Better Mouse Trap”.

[squick]

Thanks for the detailed directions. I replaced my steering cable following these instructions for my '01 21i and used a SSC15418. All went as planned and I was once again grateful for an i rather than a v as everything was much easier to access for this particular repair. I don't work on cars and boats that often and I thought this was a pretty easy fix.

[travis5550]

I have an '08 20V and I got the SSC15418 (18' long) from Teleflex. It is the "upgraded" version that should last longer. Also, go back a page or 2 to find my post about how I re-ran the cable by moving the gas tank (rather than cutting any new holes in the boat). Good luck!

[rfclick01]

Can someone who's done this with a 20V please provide the part number/cable length?

[btoller]

Huge Success

THANK YOU Jwanck11 !
Your pictures were a life saver. I spent all day Saturday trying to change the steering cable on my 2005 Supra Launch. We were at the point of defeat until I saw your post. We were trying to take the retaining nut off from inside the boat...Not the way to do it. You saved us by posting your pictures with the idea of removing the clamp from the mount under the engine....Way easier!!!
We tried again Sunday and removed and installed the new steering cable in just a couple hours...Saved us $350 in labor. Even though you posted about a Tige, it was the same concept for the Supra!
Well Done!

[chuckhoenig]

Hey everyone,

I ordered my cable on Sunday, and if it gets here in time, I will be changing it this weekend.

I've got an '03 21i riders edition with a Merc 350 MAG MPI.

I will let everyone know how it goes.

Thanks for all the helpful posts!

Chuck

I changed my cable this evening, and thanks to everyone's posts it only took me about an hour and 15 minutes.

I removed everything from the back end first, then the wheel. I then cut the cable towards the rudder with a dremmel, short of the 1-1/8" nut and taped that to a piece of rope. I pulled the cable out through the console, and then tied the rope to the new cable and pulled it right back into place.

Reattaching everything went smoothly, and my wife made sure my rudder was straight when I attached the steering wheel to cable.

I also greased the rudder box while I was in there.

Steering is now "like butter".

Now just waiting to get my prop back on so I can try out the new cable on the water!

Thanks again for all the previous postings! I never would have tackled this job without the sound advice I found on this site.

Chuck

[kasey200]

If Im not mistaken, the V-Ride has power steering.

I did a bit of research and you are correct. Oh well it still has to help. Mine almose takes two arms to turn.

[bigdaddy_houseboater]

I drove my brother's malibu v-ride last night... you can turn the wheel with one finger even while at speed. I really hope my tige steers like this with the new cable. It's been pretty stiff since i've owned it (about 3 years)

If Im not mistaken, the V-Ride has power steering.

[kasey200]

I drove my brother's malibu v-ride last night... you can turn the wheel with one finger even while at speed. I really hope my tige steers like this with the new cable. It's been pretty stiff since i've owned it (about 3 years)

[kasey200]

I don't think that you will have the same problem as garciava. The issue started in '06 or '07 when they had a longer gas tank that covered the hole that steering cable goes through. They installed the steering cable first then the gas tank. Mine has that issue and I cut the hole a little bigger and went through the original route.

okay cool. When i plumbed my ballast i used this hole with no problems. However, it doesn't have a rigid end.

[skippabcool]

That's interesting. I wish i had read this earlier. I just ordered a 18' cable yesterday. I would see if i can get it switched however i had them rush deliver it so i can get it installed before the weekend.

I don't think that you will have the same problem as garciava. The issue started in '06 or '07 when they had a longer gas tank that covered the hole that steering cable goes through. They installed the steering cable first then the gas tank. Mine has that issue and I cut the hole a little bigger and went through the original route.

[kasey200]

I have 2008 22VE and changed my cable last week and it took about an hour including removing the old cable. I bought the new cable in Denver at Wakeboard & Waterski Specialty. When I told them what i was doing and what boat I had they said the 18 foot cable is what comes from the factory but the 19’ is easier to install so I bought the 19 footer
Removal:
They said the easiest way to do it is remove the transmission cover and gas tank floor plate. Since I had just service the transmissions the cover was easy to remove. I removed the cable from the rudder. Then with a 12 inch crescent wrench I removed the nut holding the cable in the tubing sleeve. After removing the cable from the steering wheel I pulled the cable back toward the steering helm. The rudder end would not come through the small hole at the helm so I ended up cutting the cable
New cable installation:
I attempted to run the cable through the hole by the helm with no luck. It was just too stiff to make the bend.
The Tiga dealer in Denver ( Wakeboard & Waterski Specialty) said if it doesn’t go through the hole easy don’t waste my time and just run it to the right side under the helm into the front storage compartments and through the hole that the vent tube runs through. This was the reason for the longer cable. I ran it this way right next to the vent tube and it took maybe 5 minutes to run the cable back to the rudder. It ran the same path as the old cable. Put everything back together and it now steers like a new boat

That's interesting. I wish i had read this earlier. I just ordered a 18' cable yesterday. I would see if i can get it switched however i had them rush deliver it so i can get it installed before the weekend.