13' Sport Stuck Steering Wheel - Moderated Discussion Areas

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Author Topic:   13' Sport Stuck Steering Wheel

Gene4 posted 03-15-2014 04:14 PM ET (US)
For some reason my Sport 13 [steering wheel] will not turn left or right. Last summer the steering wheel was getting hard to turn, when [before] it was always easy to do. Where should I start? It is just a standard 2001 Sport 13 with a 30-HP Mercury. Help appreciated.
contender posted 03-15-2014 07:42 PM ET (US)
Disconnect the steering rod from the engine, and see if [the steering wheel] turns,. Try turning the engine as well. [The cause is] probably the steering cable. They rust and the grease gets caked inside to the point of not being able to turn the wheel. If the cable is bad [the repair is an] easy fix: remove the old cable and check the cable for numbers. Either on ebay or Boats.net you can find another cable around $100 plus mailing (or your local dealer). Order the cable and wait. Next, install the new cable and used some marine grease on the cable ends. I like Evinrude Triple Guard grease. Use a shot gun brush on a drill motor to clean out the steering tube on the engine. Dip the brush in some kind of oil or grease cleaner. Run it through and clean out [the steering tube]. Good luck
frontier posted 03-15-2014 08:20 PM ET (US)
For a few dollars more, you can replace the whole steering system. Teleflex pricing makes it possible. For example a 12-foot Teleflex cable is $130. A Teleflex Safe-T Quick Connect System complete with 12-foot cable, helm and bezel is $150. Sometimes [the whole system] is even cheaper [than buying just the cable]: a 22-foot Teleflex cable is $158. A whole Safe-T Quick system with 22-foot cable, helm and bezel is $150. All kits are $150.
Your system is 13 years old - replace the whole thing.
skred posted 03-16-2014 09:04 AM ET (US)
My 13 Sport uses a 9-foot cable from a standard console to the motor. (A 10-foot is okay, also) Complete Teleflex Safe-T QC sysem is available on eBay for $113.
frontier posted 03-16-2014 09:16 AM ET (US)
Skred makes a good point about pricing. Prices I mentioned are around list price (from West Marine catalog). Teleflex is often heavily discounted. Shop around.
Gene4 posted 03-16-2014 09:49 PM ET (US)
Thanks so much for the information. Now I have something to work from.
frontier posted 03-16-2014 11:21 PM ET (US)
I noticed discountmarinesupplies.com has most all sizes (8' to 20') of the Teleflex Safe-T QC system kit for $128, plus $10 flat rate shipping to anywhere in the lower 48 states. I've bought a lot of stuff from them over the years and they are excellent. Best Moeller gas tank prices I've found.
jimh posted 03-17-2014 08:38 AM ET (US)
I believe the advice above that mentions "the steering tube" is probably talking about the engine mount tilt tube, through which the steering actuator is mounted. To access the steering tube, that is, the portion of the engine mount that holds the engine and allows it to be turned, would need a lot of disassembly of the engine to reach, and the diameter would be larger than any shot gun.

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Author	Topic: 13' Sport Stuck Steering Wheel
Gene4	posted 03-15-2014 04:14 PM ET (US) For some reason my Sport 13 [steering wheel] will not turn left or right. Last summer the steering wheel was getting hard to turn, when [before] it was always easy to do. Where should I start? It is just a standard 2001 Sport 13 with a 30-HP Mercury. Help appreciated.
contender	posted 03-15-2014 07:42 PM ET (US) Disconnect the steering rod from the engine, and see if [the steering wheel] turns,. Try turning the engine as well. [The cause is] probably the steering cable. They rust and the grease gets caked inside to the point of not being able to turn the wheel. If the cable is bad [the repair is an] easy fix: remove the old cable and check the cable for numbers. Either on ebay or Boats.net you can find another cable around $100 plus mailing (or your local dealer). Order the cable and wait. Next, install the new cable and used some marine grease on the cable ends. I like Evinrude Triple Guard grease. Use a shot gun brush on a drill motor to clean out the steering tube on the engine. Dip the brush in some kind of oil or grease cleaner. Run it through and clean out [the steering tube]. Good luck
frontier	posted 03-15-2014 08:20 PM ET (US) For a few dollars more, you can replace the whole steering system. Teleflex pricing makes it possible. For example a 12-foot Teleflex cable is $130. A Teleflex Safe-T Quick Connect System complete with 12-foot cable, helm and bezel is $150. Sometimes [the whole system] is even cheaper [than buying just the cable]: a 22-foot Teleflex cable is $158. A whole Safe-T Quick system with 22-foot cable, helm and bezel is $150. All kits are $150. Your system is 13 years old - replace the whole thing.
skred	posted 03-16-2014 09:04 AM ET (US) My 13 Sport uses a 9-foot cable from a standard console to the motor. (A 10-foot is okay, also) Complete Teleflex Safe-T QC sysem is available on eBay for $113.
frontier	posted 03-16-2014 09:16 AM ET (US) Skred makes a good point about pricing. Prices I mentioned are around list price (from West Marine catalog). Teleflex is often heavily discounted. Shop around.
Gene4	posted 03-16-2014 09:49 PM ET (US) Thanks so much for the information. Now I have something to work from.
frontier	posted 03-16-2014 11:21 PM ET (US) I noticed discountmarinesupplies.com has most all sizes (8' to 20') of the Teleflex Safe-T QC system kit for $128, plus $10 flat rate shipping to anywhere in the lower 48 states. I've bought a lot of stuff from them over the years and they are excellent. Best Moeller gas tank prices I've found.
jimh	posted 03-17-2014 08:38 AM ET (US) I believe the advice above that mentions "the steering tube" is probably talking about the engine mount tilt tube, through which the steering actuator is mounted. To access the steering tube, that is, the portion of the engine mount that holds the engine and allows it to be turned, would need a lot of disassembly of the engine to reach, and the diameter would be larger than any shot gun.