Twin Honda Steering Cable Replacement

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Donald Tyson

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Has anyone replaced the steering cables on their twin Honda 40's? I arrived at the boat today wanting to go Crabbing and found the steering frozen. The boat was last used two weeks ago and at that time there was not a hint of steering issues, but now it is seized. Any advice will be appreciated and hopefully supply some direction for repairs.
How often should this be greased? Once freed should the entire cable be replaced or merely lubricated?
 
Over the years I've owned several boats with cable steering and my experience is that normally the cable steering become gradually harder to steer as corrosion in the cable becomes more prevelant. I've not had one show no signs of a problem and then all of a sudden be locked up. I would be inclined to do a thorough check of the entire system. It could be behind the steering wheel at the rack. I have taken the cable off in the past and spent a considerable amount of time freeing it up and lubricating, but the fact is that cable will bind up again if it is from corrosion. best to get a new cable. But first identify the actual problem before spending any money on new cables. Hope this helps, good luck.
 
Dave, Thanks for the reply. I had that happen before as well where its fine one day and seized the next but that was on an exposed boat where replacement was easy to get at on a 24 Carolina Skiff. The Marina will go with new cables and will also be checking the gears in the helm. I beleive the issue is salt water intrusion. I asked the Marina office how often I should be greasing it and they said once a season. I now feel that once a week might have saved this expense. Less lube more frequently to prevent intrusion.
 
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