How to run the steering cable

[off2board]

I pulled my steering cable out (and ran a wire with it so I could fish the new one thru...but I cannot figure out how to run the cable shaft (that connect to the rudder) thru the hole (under the steering wheel area) without it banging into the gas tank. Whats the trick?

[spyderwebb]

I recently replaced the cable on my 2001 21V and it was a real b*#@* from the helm to the floor board opening.

I used a nylon rope which I tied to the rod end (fished it through with a stick), then duck taped the sliding rod together to try to keep it from extending (but it eventualy came apart because the tape ripped from pulling on the rope, disconnected and moved the gas tank forward to try to create extra room (but it didn't really help much). Then ultimately with my son helping we were able to push (with a stick) and pull (with the rope) it to the side of the tank and get it through there, we used a little mag flash light to see inbetween the floor and the tank where it was and how to manipulate it to where we needed it to fit through the gap on the side.

It was just to thin an opening for the 1 1/8" nut to fit in between the tank and the floor gap which was only about an inch and we couldn't spread it out enough with a thick broom stick handle either, there was however enought room on the side of the tank as this was about 1 1/2" wide gap.

Good Luck!

[off2board]

Thanks for your reply spyderwebb...I've read plenty of posts about replacing the cable...and not one of them talked about the issue of no space between the floor board and the gas tank, to get a 18inch rod thru.
I though that maybe because I have my amps mounted on the panel (directly infront of your knees when you sit) it was preventing me from using the angle of approach I needed.
I am thinking of just making the hole bigger...seeing as how there is that corner piece that would cover it.
I am just confused why after post after post...noone has mentioned this lack of room. Its always just "then just fish it through with a rope or wire"...but nothing about lack of clearence.

[spyderwebb]

I have a sub speaker built in up there so your amps shouldn't really make any difference unless they are really thick.

You do have to have a thin rope connceted to the end of the rod, that has already been fished through before you start feeding the cable through the small hole on the floor. This will allow you to pull it from the open floor area either to the left or the right side.

Also try duck taping the rod together where it slides open,. this will keep it about 12" long rather then 20" which might be a little easier to push and pull around.

You also have to peek in there with a good flashlight so you can see where the dang thing is and how it needs to be moved to fit through the gap.

I spent hours trying to get mine because the fit was so darn tight.

[off2board]

I have a sub speaker built in up there so your amps shouldn't really make any difference unless they are really thick.

You do have to have a thin rope connceted to the end of the rod, that has already been fished through before you start feeding the cable through the small hole on the floor. This will allow you to pull it from the open floor area either to the left or the right side.

Also try duck taping the rod together where it slides open,. this will keep it about 12" long rather then 20" which might be a little easier to push and pull around.

You also have to peek in there with a good flashlight so you can see where the dang thing is and how it needs to be moved to fit through the gap.

I spent hours trying to get mine because the fit was so darn tight.

I did run a wire from my old cable when I pulled it thru, and I did tape the shaft to the 1 1/8in bolt so it would extend out...but the problem is in the clearence. I can get the shaft almost halfway thru before it gets wedged on the gas tank and the floor hole opening. So I have ALOT more to go. I could jam it thru...that might work..but it must be easier. HOWEVER...if it took you hours to get your thru, then I know you are running into the same issue I have...perhaps I just need to work it more.
My route was this...run shaft into hole, gas tank got in way..try different angle...gas tank got into way...cover the boat up and get on the forums. Yea....I didnt try exactly tooo hard.

[Jason B]

If you didn't see any posts complaining about a lack of room, then you most certainly didn't read enough posts.

You can also run it OVER the gas tank, that works just fine as well. Expecially, if you were to enlarge the hole slightly since it's covered completely anyway.

[zad0030]

I thought most people put it over the tank for two reasons. It keeps it out of standing water and its easier to run....

[off2board]

I thought most people put it over the tank for two reasons. It keeps it out of standing water and its easier to run....

Its not about running the cable above the tank or below the tank...of course you would want to run it over the top. The problem is getting the shaft thru the floor board when the tank is directly under it. I cant get enough angle to run the shaft thru the hole. (with it taped to the 1 1/8inch nut).

[off2board]

If you didn't see any posts complaining about a lack of room, then you most certainly didn't read enough posts.

You can also run it OVER the gas tank, that works just fine as well. Expecially, if you were to enlarge the hole slightly since it's covered completely anyway.

Yes...I will be running it over the tank...I am curius though if others had to cut out that hole like I will have to, in order to get the shaft thru.

[zad0030]

If you are having this much trouble putting it back in, how did you get it out?

[spyderwebb]

Definately go over the tank,. the guy I bought my boat from had it changed in 2008 (per copy of bill with maintenance documents) and it was under the tank, and already really, really hard to turn. Not to mention is showed the part number as SSC13XXX, not the SSC15XXX Extreme cable, so that probably didn't help either. I read the Extreme cable is much beter designed.

As to your problem; I think you need to feed at least two feet of the cable in the small hole on the floor, then start manipulating it around with the attached rope, if you have enough pushed in there it can be moved around a little... and look through the floor opening and have a thin stick to help move it around. No matter how you slice it you will be belly down on the gas tank peeking in there and pulling the rope, oh and another set of eyes and hands might help at this point.

We also took a thick broom handle and pushed it in as far as we could to help create more room.

[off2board]

If you are having this much trouble putting it back in, how did you get it out?

I cut the cable in half before I pulled it out. rotozip was my friend

[off2board]

Definately go over the tank,. the guy I bought my boat from had it changed in 2008 (per copy of bill with maintenance documents) and it was under the tank, and already really, really hard to turn. Not to mention is showed the part number as SSC13XXX, not the SSC15XXX Extreme cable, so that probably didn't help either. I read the Extreme cable is much beter designed.

As to your problem; I think you need to feed at least two feet of the cable in the small hole on the floor, then start manipulating it around with the attached rope, if you have enough pushed in there it can be moved around a little... and look through the floor opening and have a thin stick to help move it around. No matter how you slice it you will be belly down on the gas tank peeking in there and pulling the rope, oh and another set of eyes and hands might help at this point.

We also took a thick broom handle and pushed it in as far as we could to help create more room.

My problem is that I cant get the 12inch shaft thru the hole of the floor board. Once its all thru, Ill be good to go.
From what I am gathering, I have to cut open the hole in the floor to about 3inches in diameter (currently its under 2inches) this will give me enough room to get the shaft thru.

[Jason B]

loosening the gas tank and prying it up is the only way I have heard of to get the cable under.

We should come up with a better cable that makes it easier to install....any ENGINEERS out there!!!!?????????

[Ptown]

We just replaced ours. We had to use a stick (from the gas tank access area) to push the shaft off the gas tank and then feed more cable through, so that we could get the shaft horizontal so that we could pull it through. We pushed the shaft through perpendicular to the boat, then rotated it.