Help: Sport Steering Stiffness
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=19153
Printed Date: November-20-2024 at 8:44am
Topic: Help: Sport Steering Stiffness
Posted By: ebbiecalvin
Subject: Help: Sport Steering Stiffness
Date Posted: August-22-2010 at 1:41pm
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My 95 Sport Nautique has been in dry storage for 3 years. I just got it out yesterday, ran fine, but the steering was very stiff, way beyond normal. Is this a product of setting for a long period of time without use, or may I have another issue? I don't remember it being this way at all when I put it away... Steering now takes two hands and I need to be careful about lining up straight prior to giving it the gas. Any help is greatly appreciated. |
Replies:
Posted By: Keeganino
Date Posted: August-22-2010 at 2:40pm
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Try loosening the stuffing box around the top of the rudder shaft. Maybe it has become tighter than it needs to be while in storage because the packing expanded or melted and is sticky. When I was setting my steering back up I had to play with the stuffing box to find a good medium between water sealed and being easy to turn the wheel. If it is that stiff I would address this before running it much more so that you dont break the steering cable.
The steering assembly is pretty simple. Possible culprits include nuts on back of steering wheel too tight. Rudder packing too tight. Binding somewhere along the cable. Or lubrication. Welcome to the site. Take some time and fill out your profile and at least your first name. We all get to know each other pretty well. Sometimes with these boats it takes a village! ------------- "working on these old boats may not be cost effective but as it shows its what it brings into your life that matters" -Roger http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=4897" rel="nofollow - 1973 Skier |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: August-22-2010 at 7:55pm
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Troy,
Keegan's on the right track here but I'd suggest disconnecting the cable from the tiller arm first. Then you can determine if the stiffness is in the rudder port or the cable. The cables do get stiff when they have been laid up for awhile. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: ebbiecalvin
Date Posted: August-22-2010 at 11:35pm
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Thanks guys, will do.
Troy |
Posted By: jbenbri
Date Posted: August-22-2010 at 11:44pm
| Pete, Do the cables become un-stiff if used frequently after a lay up? |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: August-23-2010 at 9:02am
I really feel it's a age issue with the internal lube congealing and then aggravated with a lay up. Some have gone to the extent of using a length of hose with a grease fitting on one end slipped over the cable end and clamped. Then use it to purge the old grease out and replace it with new. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
jbenbri wrote:Posted By: behindpropeller
Date Posted: August-23-2010 at 1:54pm
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Well you have two options:
1. Buy a new cable and replace it.....100% sure it will work on the water. 2. Screw around lubing the cable and it might break the first time you take the boat out. Another person with a 10+ year old boat expecting not to put a dime into it. ------------- |
Posted By: TX Foilhead
Date Posted: August-23-2010 at 3:13pm
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I'd take a look at the rudder and stuff in the back first. My boat sat up a few years before I bought it, the cable broke on a test drive and was replaced. The steering was still very stiff, but manageable. 100 hrs later while beached at an event the rudder got stuck in the mud, once we got it free the steering was magically lite. It has tightened up a bit and will be on the list of winter projects this year, but a little work is much less expensive than a new cable.
Before I'm attacked about beaching the boat, we will not do it there again this year. For some reason the Excel seems to stick the rudder very easily so we keep her away from the beach now. |
Posted By: Keith
Date Posted: August-23-2010 at 5:57pm
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I had the same experience with my '94 SN this season. After changing the steering cable two seasons ago, it got really tight again. Puzzled, I did some digging. What we found was the lock nut on the rudder packing had loosened so much it actually locked up the steering arm. Tightening the locking nut freed up the steering so that it could be turned with one finger. Too bad I had already replaced the steering cable.
You may, in fact, need a new steering cable but definitely check out the rudder packing first. -Keith ------------- Former: /diaries/details.asp?ID=6170" rel="nofollow - 97 Sport Nautique 1994 Ski Nautique 86 Silver Nautique 79 Mustang |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: August-23-2010 at 11:10pm
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Are they making these cables cheaper or they from China now?? I hear of so many of them being replaced on the newer boats.I still have the original one in mine,and no boat was as neglected as mine. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: jbenbri
Date Posted: August-24-2010 at 12:02am
| I expect to buy a new cable. I have already spent about 10,000 dimes over the last few months. If I could avoid another 2750 right now it would be quite convenient though. |
Posted By: WakeSlayer
Date Posted: August-24-2010 at 12:15am
I suspect a clever combination of both... Counterfeit steering cables will be next. ------------- Mike N 1968 Mustang |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: August-24-2010 at 9:29am
Gary, Yes, I've always wondered the same. I've got the originals in both my 64 and 77 and they are still good. No indication of failure or stiffness. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: behindpropeller
Date Posted: August-24-2010 at 1:16pm
You can cut out some of those dimes by getting a cable replacement from Fl. Inboards. (850) 215-1996 Tim ------------- |
Posted By: jbenbri
Date Posted: August-25-2010 at 2:02am
| Thanks Tim. I'll give them a call. |
Posted By: NHSki
Date Posted: November-13-2010 at 3:33pm
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Good info guys.
I just joined while winterizing my 02 ski. Steering is just a touch tight and I planned on greasing up the rudder packing area. We'll see how that works. I don't have any problems with water getting in and hope I haven't ruined a good thing. Anyone have an idea on how to find a back seat bottom for an 02 closed bow? Bob |
Posted By: Nevergrew
Date Posted: November-22-2010 at 6:14pm
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Just bought an 89 and I'm finding mine really tight turning right at speed. Left is a breeze though. I'm also experiencing a bit of free play as well. What's normal in these boats?
Interestingly, at idle in the water (and on trailer) the steering is effortless turning left and right lock to lock. What are peoples thoughts? Rudder packing? Steering cable? or both? The boat has a new acme 470 prop if this matters. ------------- |
Posted By: Nevergrew
Date Posted: November-30-2010 at 3:31am
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Bump !!
Sorry to be annoying, but can anyone shed some light on my steering issue? Cheers in advance. ------------- |
Posted By: 8122pbrainard
Date Posted: November-30-2010 at 8:48am
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Justin,
A inboard will always turn easier in one direction due to the prop torque on the hull. This "loads" the system and wears parts unevenly. Since your problem is while underway, I'd say the chances are high that it's a cable issue. But, before you get a new cable, pull the rudder and clean/grease the port. Also open up the helm box and do the same. Give it a test and if the problem is still there, get a new cable. Be careful with the cable you get. This may be a year where you must get the OEM due to it's extra throw. Someone will know for sure but I think a 89 does need the OEM cable. ------------- /diaries/details.asp?ID=1622" rel="nofollow - 54 Atom /diaries/details.asp?ID=2179" rel="nofollow - 77 Tique 64 X55 Dunphy Keep it original, Pete < |
Posted By: SNobsessed
Date Posted: November-30-2010 at 10:51am
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Justin - Yes, '89 needs the OEM cable. If you open up the helm & add grease, be sure to use synthetic grease, as petroleum grease can soften the cable's inner liner. You can get synthetic grease at NAPA - use disc brake caliper grease. ------------- “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Ben Franklin |
Posted By: Nevergrew
Date Posted: November-30-2010 at 5:29pm
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Thanks heaps guys, I'll give this a go. I also want to check rudder port packing so I'll tackle this at the same time.
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