If the steering was stiff or sluggish before, but now the wheel moves freely, then you need to take a closer look at your cable. : "http://www. Did you see anything in the box that could lead to play between the gear and the steering linkage? Remember to have an emergency plan and equipment to include communications gear to call for help. Detectors, Binoculars & Air in the lines 4. Accessories, Marine DC Power Plugs Racks, Fish Finders, Sounders Previously, Ed was chairman of the Marine Technology Department at the New England Institute of Technology. As with all steering systems, pre-operations checks are crucial to detect problems before getting underway. Hardware, Marine Varnish, Marine Adhesives, Be gentle when scrubbing your steering wheel so you dont scratch it or lift up any color. These are the boating equivalent of power steering and allow for easy, precise control. All thats needed is to protect the tiller from the elements and occasionally lubricate its pivot. $31.99. Systems, Marine Plumbing He is also a certified marine technician and the author of a popular text on writing local history. Hardware, Boat Trailer Seats, Offshore Boat The skipper makes a small steering adjustment, followed by a larger one, and then he realizes that the wheel is no longer connected to the rudder. Unlike a geared steering mechanism, a chain-and-wire system will not tolerate indifferent maintenance, and if its not properly maintained, it will fail suddenly and completely. Home Boating How To Lube Steering Cable On Boat the Right Way Straight From The Pros! Then clean the bolt and the threads in the hole, dip the bolt in a thread sealant, and screw back in. This is normally not a problem, but prudence dictates having a redundant steering system like an emergency tiller or kicker motor if you plan to be a long way from civilization. Helm Problems Rotary Problems with Hydraulic Steering 1. On some boats they may enter conduits that will route them, snake-like, through the boat. (PS: We read ALL feedback). Communication, Auto Pilot Grease the cable through the newly installed grease fitting with a grease gun, using the marine grease recommended by the steering system manufacturer. % of people told us that this article helped them. Distribution, ProMariner ProNautic Then, with the helm threads protected by the nut, youll want to position one leg beneath the steering wheel as well as the other arm from the other side of the machine to complete the operation. Additionally, rust can collect in the tube and lead to further damages. You are using an out of date browser. This article has been viewed 133,914 times. With some lubrication as part of the maintenance, along with preventative cleaning, you can eliminate any future problems and keep your boat in top condition. The tilt tube is a metal tube through which the inner metal cable sleeve is routed. Leaks 2. Plumbing, Fresh Water Boat Deals, Dealer I may do this next spring as I have to eliminate my steering sloppiness. If you disconnect the cable from the helm and the problem is still there, you have a problem with the helm. The steering wheel might well be tough to switch without this greasing. Replace or repair your pontoon boat steering wheel with pieces from Pontoon Specialists! If the rudderstock is solid, it must be keyed, through-bolted, or possibly machined square where the disk or quadrant is located. My primary complaint is loose steering, but after playing with it more, I was feeling some grinding in the box. If your boat has a rack and pinion helm, it's a sealed unit and requires no maintenance. Suppose you identify the helm as the problem on a rotary system starts by inspecting the cables helm end. First, make sure the nut holding it on is tight. Category, View This may require the use of a puller tool to help get the wheel off. All, Anchor & Too much hull drag will creat tons of steering torque. You can also outfit them with autopilot systems linked to GPS and programmed to stay on course. Hollow rudderstocks typically will have a hardened pin that runs through the quadrant and stock. If the cotton catches on a broken strand, you must replace both the port and starboard wires. If you're not sure what to use, opt for leather cleaner. Try to move out of high traffic areas if possible and anchor or tie off to a structure or even another boat. Tackle Boxes, Fishing Bait & On some older units, the teeth on the central part of the quadrant are likely to be more worn than those at the ends. Software, Digital Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. You cannot paste images directly. It should be shiny stainless steel. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below. Search The ideal approach to achieve this is to keep the car on the ground and put all of its pressure on the suspension and steering mechanism, since lifting the vehicle will cause the elements to lock or weld against each other, reducing any potential for free play. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Protection, Dock Storage & When steering tube grease hardens, it stops the movement of the steering cable, resulting in steering stiffness or lockup. With a system like this, you can use an app on your phone to monitor your boats crucial systems. Always add fluid in stages, turning the wheel from lock to lock several times in between. Sherman; McGraw Hill Professional, 2008; p. 93 ff, This project involves work with power tools and other equipment; appropriate caution is advised. And it is achieved by our expert analysis combined with real-time data from the product itself and how customers reviewed that product. & Next, thoroughly clean the links and the inside of the steering tube with a wooden dowel with a solvent soaked rag wrapped around it. Lights, Boat Trailer Lubricate the pillow blocks supporting the shaft with 30W motor oil; remove the cap bolts and slide the bushings clear to expose the bearing area. Unbolt the steering tilt tube (the steering link arm) from the outboard motor using a 9/16-inch socket wrench. Keep moving the steering wheel from lock to lock and observing the hoses. Use the existing mounting brackets to put the latest cable and secure both cables. It is crucial to be prepared should your steering fail. If the wheel was loose, the keyway may be beaten out and giving you too much play. Its also a response to owner feedback, representing four read more, Yesterday, Golden Globe Race organizers announced a Code Red situation for skipper Ian Herbert-Jones, whose EPIRB was activated in the midst of a massive south Atlantic storm with winds gusting in the high 80s and a sea state of around 20 feet. Larger vessels can connect to reservoir tanks, autopilot pumps, additional helms, and any other installed hydraulic equipment. Hardware, Boat When in doubt, seek professional assistance. If the nicks are small, they can be sanded down with extra fine (400 grit) sandpaper. If the cable is routed properly and nothing is impinging it, you will need a new cable. 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