Clicking steering with resistance

Chris Bulovsky

For those who had this clicking coming from behind the strearing wheel did you replace the entire system or did you replace just a part ? I'm not satisfied with a stearing system that feels like it may fail. It feels as if something is binding up sometimes when Im turning the boat. I did not clean the piston sleave on the motor and it looks to have some caked up grease on it. Also seems to feel a little loose.....like extra play. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Also what size is needed for a 22'..... I don't recall. This teleflex no feedback system was new in 2004. Crook

Chris Bulovsky

Captains Cat · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:08 am Post subject:

Chris, is it Baystar or Seastar?

Charlie

Chris Bulovsky · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:57 am Post subject:

Its Teleflex mechanical steering.

Chris

Captains Cat · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:32 am Post subject:

OK, I was going to say it had air in it and to Bleed it. Guess that won't work for you Rolling Eyes

Maybe someone else has experience with those, mine are both Seastar Hydraulic...

Good luck, keep us posted.

Charlie

Joni Lynn · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:08 am Post subject:

Chris,
I kinda noticed the same symptoms on my steering system. I'm hearing the slight clicking noise periodically and it seems to have a bit more slack. I'm not feeling any resistance, though. I"m not sure if its been there all along and I've just noticed it and am now super-sensitive to the noise, or if its something new and I should be concerned. I keep looking around trying to decide if I can see anything going awry, but the unit behind the steering column warns against taking it apart. Everything else appears in good shape. But I too have this little itch in the back of my head telling me I should do something about it......but what? When I bought the boat from NW Outlet in Superior, Dave Miller had lots of good things to say about the system, so maybe he can be of help. I thought of giving him a call, but he really can't help by just talking about it, he'd really have to hear and feel what's going on. My boat is a 98 also, and it still has the original steering system. I'll monitor this thread closely; I'm curious to know the outcome. I hesitate taking the problem to a local boat guy here, as they know NOTHING about C Dorys, and the little work I've had done on the motor leaves me very skeptical about their ability to work on my steering system. If the problem worsens, I have a notion to trailer the 8 - 9 hours up to Superior so Dave can look at it. Dave is a straight shooter and will definitely steer me in the right direction (pun intended). Plus, I could take some time and enjoy the wonderful boating you folks have around the Apostle Islands!
Paul abourd the Joni Lynn

Chris Bulovsky · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 3:11 pm Post subject:

Paul-Do it soon the Coho are bighting now.

I'm going to start with cleaning the piston sleeve on the motor.... See what that does then move to more drastic steps that may involve power tools and torches...........then just replace it. Its a natural exercise in futility that I humor myself with doing things the hard way.

I see no clear way as of yet.

I have little desire to be on the Lake with 39 Deg. water,cool air temps and having to fashion a tiller rig with duct tape and the table leg........yes I thought of that when I was wondering if the steering was going to fail. The high light of the day is that it did not fail......yet.

Chris

jkidd · Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:01 pm Post subject:

Chris there is a clip on the back of the steering wheel housing that you can pull. This will release the cable so that you can pull the cable out of the housing it's looks like a spring. This should be grease every so often. If you pull the cable loose you should be able to move the motor and have someone listen for the clicking. You should also be able to turn the wheel and see if you can hear the clicking there as well. My guess would be that the gear that moves the cable might be jumping a tooth. This could be from wear or the lack of lubricate. I have had to replace one before on my Fourwinns seems like they should last longer than 3 or 4 years.

Jack in Alaska · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007 2:34 am Post subject:

Convert it to hydraulic. If you do you will wonder why you had not done it a longtime ago.
I did mine several years ago after wearing out 2 cable systems.

Chris Bulovsky · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 4:25 pm Post subject:

Well.....I took apart the part that they say not to take apart.( I couldn't help myself) I found a spring steel tab broke off. This I believe is a part of the no feed back system. The cables are in good working condition. I put it back together and plan on testing it tomorrow. The " No feed back" feature may not be working now. The teeth are 100% and the clicking is gone. I realize the safety police will be jumping up and down about the unauthorized disassembly of item that no one wants disassembled. Shocked

Oh well.......I'm running with scissors!!!!!! Wink

Paul- My system is a Single Rack Teleflex no feed back system. It has the large black post on the back side that makes it difficult to install the electronic shroud. Also how about those Packers?

Chris Bulovsky

Captains Cat · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 8:44 pm Post subject:

Chris, I took off all the tags on my pillows and mattresses about a year ago and no one has come to pick me up yet. Keep on truckin! Laughing

Charlie

Chris Bulovsky · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 12:22 am Post subject:

The steering works great now. Now I can delay the replacement of the steering system hopefully for a few years. Very Happy

Chris Bulovsky

Joni Lynn · Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 12:39 pm Post subject:

Chris,
Great to hear you've fixed your steering system. You're a brave man for moving past the WARNING signs! I admire your courage. I think I'll not do anything until the symptoms get worse. Right now it's just a curious sound and I'll try my best to ignore it.
We haven't been on the boat for a few weeks now; everything else seems to get in the way. However, the fall leaf tours on the river will be here very soon.
Have a nice fall. Go Pack !
Paul