Boats Steering System Noises

Tug · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 3:29 pm Post subject: Boats Steering System Noises

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.

ghone · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2014 7:40 pm Post subject:

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.

Tug · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 5:31 am Post subject:

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

Jack in Alaska · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 1:26 pm Post subject:

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.

Tug · Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 2:22 pm Post subject:

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

Tug · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 5:58 pm Post subject:

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

BrentB · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 6:27 pm Post subject:

Do you know the Morse model installed now?

Here is a guide
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/document.do?docId=691

Tug · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 6:59 pm Post subject:

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

BrentB · Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2014 9:21 pm Post subject:

I would check eBay for cables

Tug · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 1:50 pm Post subject:

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.

BrentB · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 2:23 pm Post subject:

potomac_brat · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 7:57 pm Post subject:

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.

Tug · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 7:41 am Post subject:

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

BrentB · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:53 am Post subject:

Teleflex has great customer service by phone, email and web page.

Tug · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 12:37 pm Post subject:

I called Teleflex and spoke to a tech and the advice he give my was to make sure it was well greased.