Steering cable broke

I recently replaced the cable and helm on my 1999 22 CRUISER. The cable length was 19 feet. The hardest part of the process was getting the steering wheel off......but if you don't have to replace the helm, you may be able to replace the cable alone without taking off the wheel.

By the way...to get the wheel off you need a big hammer and a punch the exact size as the center bolt of the helm........hit hard while pulling the top of the wheel with one hand and the bottom of the wheel with your knee.....she will pop loose. Scary to have to hit something on your boat that hard though.

Good luck
Tom
 
Yes Bill...that's right....I do have a single 75 hp. motor.
You asked about a 22 CLASSIC however I see that your boat is a 22 CRUISER with twins.....so I want to be clear that the information I gave was for the single engine 22 CRUISER.

Cheers :beer
Tom
 
Ah common Bill......I don't think there is anyone who has been more places and spent more time on a C.Dory than you and El have.
You know these boats better than everyone....I'm sure.
Love your spirit of adventure.

Tom
 
Bill,

Steering cables usually have the make and part number stamped into the plastic cover of the cable near the motor end.

A boat shop should be able to get you a matching cable from that info.

The problem with changing a steering cable is that to get the 'cable end' out of and into the motor's steering tube, the motor may have to be removed (lifted) from the transom.

Usually the helm end of the cable can be changed with the helm unit in place. The cable end will have lots of grease on it when it comes out of the helm unit, so protect the interior.

If you have to lift the motor, it might be best to have a boat shop do the replacement.

Larry H
Retired outboard mechanic.
 
Larry........not to argue with you but I have replaced mine twice now and there is no need to lift the motor. I should clarify that you shouldn't need to lift the motor if you cut the old cable as close as you can to the hinge tube, drive the part inside out (from the port side to starboard side) with a rod of some sort then simply pull the rest of the cable (after cutting all cable ties) through the cuddy and out through the cabin.
You are absolutely right....the helm end will be very greasy so when it is free of the helm you must wrap it up to protect your interior.

Cheers :beer
Tom
 
On my 1984 Classic there was no way to remove the steering cable without removing the engine. The old design was 70-inches at the transom sheer line; I believe the post '87 design (and certainly the current models) have an additional ten inches width at the transom. It was a bit frustrating on my boat, because I needed hardly any more space; just enough to make me put the engine on a lift.

I imagine that the cable isn't on El and Bill's boat since they mentioned a Classic.

I'm traveling in Canada or I'd measure the cable on my boat. Currently it's very available for easy measuring - back in my shop.

Best of luck. If you still need the cable length after June 1 I'll measure it and post it here.

Tom
 
Been there done that. My advice is to get a Baystar hydraulic system. Think I paid about $480 a couple of years ago through a dealer on E-bay.
Hydraulic steering is worth the extra and what better time than when you are going to have to spend money on the steering system anyway.
 
Tom on Icarus,

I have also cut the old cable into pieces to make removal easier. But, the new cable has to be installed and if there is enough room across the transom to insert the new cable into the steering/tilt tube, then the old cable could have been removed without cutting or lifting the engine.

Bill's boat has twin motors, so the port motor is closer to the spashwell than a single motor on centerline would be.

Tomherrick,

It turns out that Bill's boat is a 22 Cruiser, not a Classic.


Larry H
 
Bill - If you haven't already located a mechanical cable, I second Nainu recommendation. Spring for a bay star or sea star hydraulic system. Installation is relatively easy and your steering problems are over. We are heading for Yellowstone Lake once the ice is off. John & Edna
 
Hi Bill,

Sorry to hear about the mechanical problem. I am curious of where you were when this steering failed. If you were out on the lake how did you get back?

I am in the process of selecting a kicker for my boat so I can get home on my own if need be. I had not thought about a steering failure but it is another thing to consider.

Hope your repair goes well and your back out having fun soon.

Steve
 
Back
Top