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Author Topic:   Steering Wheel Has Play

bkelly posted 08-18-2008 08:51 AM ET (US)
I have a 1987 Montauk and 1987 YAMAHA 90-HP motor. The steering wheel has play before any movement. If I turn to the right the motor has almost no turning radius, to the left almost full turn. When turning the wheel there is a lot of resistance and then all of a sudden [the turning resistance] skips or slips, almost like it is stripping inside. The Teleflex was replaced three years ago. I greased the steering arm and greased the two fittings on the tube. It seems to get worse every time I try to make a turn. Any suggestions or directions to fix this would be HELPFULL.. T/You

AtoZ posted 08-18-2008 10:24 AM ET (US)
What Teleflex parts were replaced?
mojack posted 08-18-2008 10:47 AM ET (US)
That's a potentially lethal steering wheel. Disconnect the steering arm from the motor and turn the wheel until there are equal parts of the steering "cable" on each side of the gear underneath the console. Reattach the steering arm which may require some adjustment now. Have someone hold the motor to provide resistance and turn the wheel both ways. If it doesn't slip with some hefty resistance either way then you should be good to go. I wouldn't try it out on the water without your lanyard on though. A steering problem is not a good thing to have wrong with your motor though and the couple of hundred bucks it would cost at the mechanic's shop may be the best couple of hundred bucks you ever spent. :-) Did you ever see the picture of the guy with the telephone pole/fence post through his groin? Very ugly.
~Derek
Casco Bay Outrage posted 08-18-2008 11:57 AM ET (US)
Disconnect the motor and test to see if it turns easily.
If you feel skipping, your helm (under the console where the steering cable attaches) has broken/stripped teeth. One can do damage to a helmI at anytime, regardless of age.
I would go straight to replacing the helm. Teleflex has great info on their website.
Don't use the boat at speed untill this is fixed.
bkelly posted 08-18-2008 05:41 PM ET (US)
Thanks for your help. I replace "just the cable" 3yrs. ago. Today I disconnected it from the motor and pulled the inner rod out as far as I could get it, but was not able to get it out completely. Boat is in the water and can't get the cable end past the stern so I can't clean the tube out. I cleaned and greased the arm after running it back and forth many times. It actually moved without any problem with motor disconnected. After reconnecting everything I still have resistance and get the same sound as if it is skipping or stripping. None when [the motor] is not connected. I'll try MoJack suggestion tonight or tomorrow. Any additional comments welcome.
Casco Bay Outrage posted 08-18-2008 07:11 PM ET (US)
If the cable was recently replaced, it is the helm box inside the console.

quote:
...turning the wheel their is resistance and the it all of a sudden [the turning resistance] skips or slips, almost like it is stripping inside
macfam posted 08-18-2008 08:41 PM ET (US)
bkelly,
The steering system on a 21 year old Whaler can't be trusted.
I have a 1987 13' Super Sport and had the same problem.
I switched it out for completely new Teleflex system. What a differnce. I feel much better with anyone in my family driving that boat.
I urge you to change the steering system. This can be a very dangerous situation. Your engine produces lots of torque. If that cable slips and that engine pivots instantaneously to one side or the other, you are completely out of control. I *know* that more than one 13 footer has flipped, and the drivers never knew what caused it.
We're not talking that much money. $200-225.
Don't wait.
contender posted 08-18-2008 09:06 PM ET (US)
I agree with CBO, sounds like something is striped inside the steering...Mojack use to have that picture, heard is was a motorcycle accident...be safe
seabob4 posted 08-18-2008 09:43 PM ET (US)
My friend,
Contender is correct, change out that helm. 4.2 NFB Helm, $105 shipped. Brand new.
bkelly posted 08-18-2008 10:34 PM ET (US)
You all have me convinced! Sounds like I'm buying a new helm. Do I get the kit or just the helm or how is it sold. I went to teleflex web site but could not pull up a dealer off the us map in my area. Seabob4 says NFB 4.2 where might I GET ONE? I'm in Ocean City MD. on vacation. Thanks to ALL for your Input!
Casco Bay Outrage posted 08-18-2008 10:48 PM ET (US)
Email Bob (SeaBob4) as he sells them.


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Author	Topic: Steering Wheel Has Play
bkelly	posted 08-18-2008 08:51 AM ET (US) I have a 1987 Montauk and 1987 YAMAHA 90-HP motor. The steering wheel has play before any movement. If I turn to the right the motor has almost no turning radius, to the left almost full turn. When turning the wheel there is a lot of resistance and then all of a sudden [the turning resistance] skips or slips, almost like it is stripping inside. The Teleflex was replaced three years ago. I greased the steering arm and greased the two fittings on the tube. It seems to get worse every time I try to make a turn. Any suggestions or directions to fix this would be HELPFULL.. T/You
AtoZ	posted 08-18-2008 10:24 AM ET (US) What Teleflex parts were replaced?
mojack	posted 08-18-2008 10:47 AM ET (US) That's a potentially lethal steering wheel. Disconnect the steering arm from the motor and turn the wheel until there are equal parts of the steering "cable" on each side of the gear underneath the console. Reattach the steering arm which may require some adjustment now. Have someone hold the motor to provide resistance and turn the wheel both ways. If it doesn't slip with some hefty resistance either way then you should be good to go. I wouldn't try it out on the water without your lanyard on though. A steering problem is not a good thing to have wrong with your motor though and the couple of hundred bucks it would cost at the mechanic's shop may be the best couple of hundred bucks you ever spent. :-) Did you ever see the picture of the guy with the telephone pole/fence post through his groin? Very ugly. ~Derek
Casco Bay Outrage	posted 08-18-2008 11:57 AM ET (US) Disconnect the motor and test to see if it turns easily. If you feel skipping, your helm (under the console where the steering cable attaches) has broken/stripped teeth. One can do damage to a helmI at anytime, regardless of age. I would go straight to replacing the helm. Teleflex has great info on their website. Don't use the boat at speed untill this is fixed.
bkelly	posted 08-18-2008 05:41 PM ET (US) Thanks for your help. I replace "just the cable" 3yrs. ago. Today I disconnected it from the motor and pulled the inner rod out as far as I could get it, but was not able to get it out completely. Boat is in the water and can't get the cable end past the stern so I can't clean the tube out. I cleaned and greased the arm after running it back and forth many times. It actually moved without any problem with motor disconnected. After reconnecting everything I still have resistance and get the same sound as if it is skipping or stripping. None when [the motor] is not connected. I'll try MoJack suggestion tonight or tomorrow. Any additional comments welcome.
Casco Bay Outrage	posted 08-18-2008 07:11 PM ET (US) If the cable was recently replaced, it is the helm box inside the console. quote: ...turning the wheel their is resistance and the it all of a sudden [the turning resistance] skips or slips, almost like it is stripping inside
macfam	posted 08-18-2008 08:41 PM ET (US) bkelly, The steering system on a 21 year old Whaler can't be trusted. I have a 1987 13' Super Sport and had the same problem. I switched it out for completely new Teleflex system. What a differnce. I feel much better with anyone in my family driving that boat. I urge you to change the steering system. This can be a very dangerous situation. Your engine produces lots of torque. If that cable slips and that engine pivots instantaneously to one side or the other, you are completely out of control. I know that more than one 13 footer has flipped, and the drivers never knew what caused it. We're not talking that much money. $200-225. Don't wait.
contender	posted 08-18-2008 09:06 PM ET (US) I agree with CBO, sounds like something is striped inside the steering...Mojack use to have that picture, heard is was a motorcycle accident...be safe
seabob4	posted 08-18-2008 09:43 PM ET (US) My friend, Contender is correct, change out that helm. 4.2 NFB Helm, $105 shipped. Brand new.
bkelly	posted 08-18-2008 10:34 PM ET (US) You all have me convinced! Sounds like I'm buying a new helm. Do I get the kit or just the helm or how is it sold. I went to teleflex web site but could not pull up a dealer off the us map in my area. Seabob4 says NFB 4.2 where might I GET ONE? I'm in Ocean City MD. on vacation. Thanks to ALL for your Input!
Casco Bay Outrage	posted 08-18-2008 10:48 PM ET (US) Email Bob (SeaBob4) as he sells them.