Steering cable replacement on a 95 SN - do it!

Had that same problem. It means you need to repack the rudder. Like NP said, once the prop wash pushes against the rudder it causes it to bind in the packing. Pick up some bearing grease, new packing from your local marina and about an hour labor and you're good to go. Be careful though because when you remove the stuff off the top of the arm and loosen the packing nut the rudder will drop down and hit the trailer.

Told NP about my issue and they said...

"The rudder would spin freely until it gets in a bind with any pressure on it"

19.5 (Technically)

I think they figured out they don't sell many cables if they last 30+ years. I assume the white gunk inside has a specific useful life in time and it gums up to produce a tight cable.

Gotta think they handled the older ones differently. The 85 still sports its original and the 86 did until two years ago. 86 had about 1500 hours on the cable.

dwcar wrote: All old cables are due to break when put under stress. It is best to replace if you are worried but you can get many more years of service out of them if you shut it down during a turn and always turn to the left.

Nascar

All old cables are due to break when put under stress. It is best to replace if you are worried but you can get many more years of service out of them if you shut it down during a turn and always turn to the left.

Everybody,
One of my questions was never answered - do you think I need to put the four small SS washers between the pinion and the steering rack?
Thanks,
Mark

Hey Mark,

I think were on the same page, so far here is my list

-replaced carb, fuel pump, plugs, wires, when purchased. boat sat for three years without being in water and carb was all fouled up. put new one on and runs perfect
-replaced steering cable
-changed fluids and winterized myself
-just built a ski/wakeboard rack for fly-high pole last night, I will try to post pictures later, turned out pretty sweet
-purchased new 1442 acme prop, cant wait to see the difference from old to new

to-do list
-put new wood nob on shift lever
-install new depth finder
-going to use herculiner roll on liner on the keel to protect
-reupholster back 3 seats, they have some cracks
-install new head unit for stereo, need one to play ipod

I think thats about it for now, nothing to major, just some little things to do. good luck with your projects

Mark

It's got to have something to do with the cables they make these days as I know that it is not unusual for a 1-3 year old Malibus to need a cable. I used to see people post about it often on themalibucrew. I think putting it away clean helps prolong the life.

60's and 70's boats if they have lasted till now with out special restoring yes are predomitly low hour boats. We had a 82 2001 that we put about 400 hours a year on for about three years, after two years we had to install a new steering cable and exhaust manifolds, that cable lasted the next six years because we got a MasterCraft and did not utilize the Nautique for more than about 20-30 hours a year. We sold that boat in 89 and to this day it still has the second cable in it But again it only gets 10-20 hours a year and has now become a trailer queen and the guy that owns it has called of course looking for a cable for that boat.
About 30% of the time other problems with in the steering system are masking what the owners deem to be cable problems most of these issues are dry rudder port and in some cases grawdu in the stabilizer tube. Some with the early Teleflex Rack and pinion can have the rubber boot over the tilt mechinisim not seated correctly and bind between the wheel hub and the tilt unit, one min fix!
I have never seen a cable that worked correctly after 700 hours of use they either have to much play in them or are stiff. I think for safety sake for your passangers and fellow boaters The steering cable is an Item that needs to be replaced after 500-700 hours or excessive time in years (what that number is I dont know but 10 years IMHO is to much) anyway their is no way to take the sealed unit apart and inspect it.
Pete You might want to leave the floating furniture in the barn get your trailer queen ski boat out on the water quit pulling tubes go pull real skiers, barefooter's and maybe even load up the phat sac's and pull boarders and surfers for 400 hours or more this summer and come back and tell us what you had to repair or replace. we can compare repair lists against my 500 plus that we will put on our new 200.

Jody,
When posting my above comments, you came to mind and I wondered what you'd have to say!

So, as I read your responce, I clearly get the idea that all ski boat steering systems are not meant for higher hours and wet bilges and should be "trailer queens" or on a lift all the time!

60's and 70's boats aren't high hours?

Better quality steering systems are out there but of course do cost more.

Keeganino wrote: Gary S wrote: Seriously I can't believe how many of these newer boats need cables,they must not be made the same as the old ones. Gary you beat me too it The 73 got a new steering cable in 2004 which is a pretty good run. Does sound like the new ones break sooner.

I too have to agree and am always amazed at the cable failure rate. The steering systems in my 64 and 77 are still going great!! I know plenty of 60's and 70's boats with original systems that are still great. CC must have switched to the cheap ones!!!

Gary S wrote: storm34 wrote: I fought with wine for a while and finally learned a trick to getting the new cable started or the old one out-Thanks to Jody Seal. Yea your not supposed to fight it just accept it.Or just drink beer instead. Seriously I can't believe how many of these newer boats need cables,they must not be made the same as the old ones.

Gary you beat me too it The 73 got a new steering cable in 2004 which is a pretty good run. Does sound like the new ones break sooner.

storm34 wrote: I fought with wine for a while and finally learned a trick to getting the new cable started or the old one out-Thanks to Jody Seal.

Yea your not supposed to fight it just accept it.Or just drink beer instead.
Seriously I can't believe how many of these newer boats need cables,they must not be made the same as the old ones.