this can’t be right....steering cable

So last season we installed a new steering cable for the 88.
http://www.shopwhitelake.com/stcaallnafr1.html

However, we could never get it installed correctly. We managed to get it 'good enough' to use but it has always bugged me that it wasn't right. Now that I have to replace the rudder packing I thought I'd give it another go.

Anyway, here is my problem:

This is a picture of the steering cable extended 1/2 (centered). The support tube is situated in the middle of the clamping block. As you can see its about 4" shy of reaching the tiller arm in the centered position.




Here is a pic taken with the cable end if it were attached to the tiller arm with the rudder centered and how it relates to the clamping block.


Lastly (sorry no pic), The support tube is about 1/2 too long with the cable retracted. The entire end will retract inside the tube if the tiller arm isn't attached.

So....I can't figure how this could possibly be the correct cable. I purchased this cable (a very expensive one) because I just wanted to remove/replace. No messing around, no hack jobs. I refuse to believe that I have to relocate the clamping block...which would require removing the exhaust, drilling a new hole in my stringer and filling the existing hole just to install a DIRECT REPLACEMENT steering cable.

Any advise? I can't find any part numbers on the cable....at least not w/o ripping it completely out again. The cable end is just over 12" retracted and 21" extended.

I just ordered a cable today, not for my CC, another boat. They come in 1 ft. lengths, so if too short or too long you have to go a foot either way. Maybe someone makes custom lengths, not sure.

The point is you can adjust the cable end shorter by putting more of a bend in it on its path, longer with less of a bend. If your clamp can't locate correctly for the cable you'll have no choice but to move it or look for a different style cable.

All you can do is extend the tiller arm all the way back, extend the cable end all the way by turning the wheel, and bolt them together. Now locate the cable in the clamp and you'll know you have full tiller extension. Hope this helps.

nobody said to move it towards the stern of the boat. I don't believe you have the steering wheel centered relative to the cable either doesn't look like the tiller arm is installed correctly either looks up side down to me, with out checking my boat to verify.

put it together then loosen the clamp block and center the tube with the damn thing put together the way it's suppose to go then slide the tube until the wheel and rudder are centered.

79nautique wrote: well just slide the tube back more in the clamp blcok

79nautique wrote: nobody said to move it towards the stern of the boat

huh? Are my nautical terms not correct? Is back not stern?

79nautique wrote: I don't believe you have the steering wheel centered relative to the cable either doesn't look like the tiller arm is installed correctly either looks up side down to me, with out checking my boat to verify.

Nothing is hooked up in those pics. The cable is removed from the helm and the support tube. The tiller arm is exactly how it came off. I extended the cable end exactly half-way in its range for a visual reference.

79nautique wrote: put it together then loosen the clamp block and center the tube with the damn thing put together the way it's suppose to go then slide the tube until the wheel and rudder are centered.

I did have it together. I don't have enough adjustment. When assembled, the rudder is facing hard right. When slid all the way so that the nut is hitting the clamping block the rudder is still facing slightly starboard (right). I can't get it centered.

Anyone with an 82-90 boat could possibly measure their cable end and/or take pictures of their support tube/cable/tiller?

No pissing match Pete, just trying to clarify as best I can. I'm hoping he CAN help. I hadn't seen that thread but had read about the throw and CC differences before I purchase ours. From my measurements I only have about 9" of travel. Can anyone tell me the part number I'm suppose to have? Is it a SC6117? I'll pull the cable back out just to be sure tonight.

81, I thought we checked it, which is why I always suspected installation error. Now that I have it apart again I'm not so certain. I know we ordered the correct part from white lake.

79 was talking about moving the TUBE that is clamped through the block.

Without even looking up part numbers, you probably have the wrong cable. CC uses a longer tiller arm that requires more throw, as well as lengths in .5' increments.

8122pbrainard wrote: With Chris, I just wanted to warn you that he can be sensitive at times. Good luck with the cable.

Ya, 79 is kind of warm and fuzzy and get his feelings hurt easily.

Thanks Brad! That will help a lot. Just by looking I think they sent the wrong one. I couldn't find any numbers on mine so I'll have to pull it tonight. I really appreciate you going through the trouble for me.

I'll be interested to see what WLM says/does if it was indeed sent wrong. I have the receipt but its over a year old and we installed it. They haven't done right by me yet so I'm not expecting much.

Pulled the cable last night. The numbers on this one are about 4' from the helm end.



Guess I'll be making phone calls this morning.

I am glad they are willing to make it right. They kinda had egg on their face for sending you the wrong one any ways......