How to free-up a stuck steering cable on a boat?? How does it even work?

Question

Its like a 1975 Crystler.

The cable twists at the end when you turn the steering wheel. But it does not move the motor back and forth?????

Any suggestions..

Answer 1

Disconnect the steering arm and see if the cable is the issue. Might find the tube in the engine needs freeing?

Answer 2

Sounds like the tube at the front of the outboard the cable passes through.  There should be a lube fitting that you can try to put grease in, or try to spray PB Blaster in the lube hole and on ant part of the shaft you see.  Let set for a while (15 - 30 mins) and try it. Still won't move, you may need a boat mechanic to look at it.

Good Luck, and Boat Safe  ! !

Answer 3

The cable is supposed to go in and out (like a bicycle brake cable)  Try this link it may help

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Boat-Repair-2...

Answer 4

This has worked for me in the past.

Disconnect cable at steering pin back at outboard . You will need somebody at the wheel  to turn or pull on wheel as you hit the end of the cable with a large rubber dead blow hammer.

Before you do this the day before and while doing it try the PB Blaster or CRC spraying before you try beating on cable . .

   If its that seized then you may need new tube also then the fun part begins getting more apart .If you do get the cable out they sell a steering tube brush that you put on a drill and as you run it in and out of tube you sray it with CRC then clean it out and also do the cable end with fine sand paper and lube and put it back together and you should be good to go

Answer 5

If it is the cable, it has seized and even if you free it up, it can do it again while you are underway, Best to replace it.