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Author Topic:   1964 Steering Cable is frozen

dfloeter posted 08-23-2003 03:40 PM ET (US)
I have a problemn with my steering cable on a 1964 16 footer. The outside does not look 39 years old and is likely already a replacement. While the console was out of the boat I left the cable end out in the weather and I fear it has rusted within. After liberally lubing what I can, I still have surplus friction and a low pitched squeak that seems to come from the cable and not the circular cast aluminum housing into which the cable rotates.
Is it possible to pull the cable from its' housing from either end? Perhaps then I could clean and polish the cable, lube well and reinstall. The steering has always been a little tight and in the past I have greased the aft end through the zerk back there with good results, expecially in sub-freezing weather when it gets too still to turn.
Fellow listees, any advice to this vexing and troublesome situation? My thanks in advance.
knothead posted 08-25-2003 12:05 PM ET (US)
dfloeter,

I read about a solution to this on the "hull truth", but have not tried it as I've had no problems with my steering.
Basically, you remove your cable from the motor, then take a garden sprayer, or any type sprayer that you can pressurize and put in some lightweight oil, automatic transmission fluid comes to mind. Then jury rig some hoses and cable clamps from the sprayer so that the end of the hose completely covers the end of the cable and the rubber sheath. then clamp the hose from the sprayer tightly over the sheath. Pump up the sprayer forcing the oil through the cable and sheath. Keep the pressure on until oil starts dripping out around the connection at the helm. That might take a while.
After this is done the entire length of cable and sheath should be lubricated.
Like I said, I've not tried this, but it made sense to me.
Good luck
regards---knothead
Bigshot posted 08-25-2003 12:14 PM ET (US)
If cable is frozen.....warm it up till it thaws.
If that does not do the trick, replace it for $89.
Taylor posted 08-25-2003 12:30 PM ET (US)
Also, replace it before you strip some teeth in the steering gear. I had to replace both the cable and the steering gear.
Dick posted 08-25-2003 09:33 PM ET (US)
At the age of your system replace both the helm and cable. A complete Teleflex Safe T system will be under $175.00.
If you can get a cable to mate up with that old helm you will be lucky. If you do get one that works you can figure that the helm will need replaced in the near future. Do both now.
Dick
Bigshot posted 08-25-2003 10:53 PM ET (US)
I have one(helm and cable and bezel) that is like new for a 17'.....$99 plus shipping if interested e-mail me. Nick
dfloeter posted 08-26-2003 10:24 AM ET (US)
Thanks for all the great input. I spoke with the Teleflex tech guy yesterday and he also recommended ditching the old system (cable replacement cost of $190) and installing a new Teleflex4.2 Rotary. The only difference I can see between the Safe-T and 4.2 is number of turns lock to lock. Steermaster be gone!

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Author	Topic: 1964 Steering Cable is frozen
dfloeter	posted 08-23-2003 03:40 PM ET (US) I have a problemn with my steering cable on a 1964 16 footer. The outside does not look 39 years old and is likely already a replacement. While the console was out of the boat I left the cable end out in the weather and I fear it has rusted within. After liberally lubing what I can, I still have surplus friction and a low pitched squeak that seems to come from the cable and not the circular cast aluminum housing into which the cable rotates. Is it possible to pull the cable from its' housing from either end? Perhaps then I could clean and polish the cable, lube well and reinstall. The steering has always been a little tight and in the past I have greased the aft end through the zerk back there with good results, expecially in sub-freezing weather when it gets too still to turn. Fellow listees, any advice to this vexing and troublesome situation? My thanks in advance.
knothead	posted 08-25-2003 12:05 PM ET (US) dfloeter, I read about a solution to this on the "hull truth", but have not tried it as I've had no problems with my steering. Basically, you remove your cable from the motor, then take a garden sprayer, or any type sprayer that you can pressurize and put in some lightweight oil, automatic transmission fluid comes to mind. Then jury rig some hoses and cable clamps from the sprayer so that the end of the hose completely covers the end of the cable and the rubber sheath. then clamp the hose from the sprayer tightly over the sheath. Pump up the sprayer forcing the oil through the cable and sheath. Keep the pressure on until oil starts dripping out around the connection at the helm. That might take a while. After this is done the entire length of cable and sheath should be lubricated. Like I said, I've not tried this, but it made sense to me. Good luck regards---knothead
Bigshot	posted 08-25-2003 12:14 PM ET (US) If cable is frozen.....warm it up till it thaws. If that does not do the trick, replace it for $89.
Taylor	posted 08-25-2003 12:30 PM ET (US) Also, replace it before you strip some teeth in the steering gear. I had to replace both the cable and the steering gear.
Dick	posted 08-25-2003 09:33 PM ET (US) At the age of your system replace both the helm and cable. A complete Teleflex Safe T system will be under $175.00. If you can get a cable to mate up with that old helm you will be lucky. If you do get one that works you can figure that the helm will need replaced in the near future. Do both now. Dick
Bigshot	posted 08-25-2003 10:53 PM ET (US) I have one(helm and cable and bezel) that is like new for a 17'.....$99 plus shipping if interested e-mail me. Nick
dfloeter	posted 08-26-2003 10:24 AM ET (US) Thanks for all the great input. I spoke with the Teleflex tech guy yesterday and he also recommended ditching the old system (cable replacement cost of $190) and installing a new Teleflex4.2 Rotary. The only difference I can see between the Safe-T and 4.2 is number of turns lock to lock. Steermaster be gone!