Steering cable vs. Rudder box issue

[talltigeguy]

When idling and at low speeds, my steering is easy cheesy. When tubing (Gasp!), I am getting a pretty good workout going around in circles, the steering is pretty stiff in both directions. I can easily turn the rudder when it is on the trailer, but when I am driving more than idle speed, it is hard to turn in both directions. I have heard some people might think it is the steering cable, but I am leaning against that. I always thought that steering cable issues usually started when turning one direction, and are stiff at rest as well as under load, or maybe even get easier when under load.

Any insights?

I've got to leave for Lake Powell in 1 week, and I really don't look forward to fighting my boat this much with all of the kids we are going to have tubing around. I might come back with some pretty buff biceps, but this is not the workout I am hoping for.

[gwhite94]

Tall, I am going to go with the cable, I had the same issues on my 2010 RZ4 after a 2 years. Changed out the cable and all was good.

[jslayde1]

Our boat had similiar issues when we first brought her home last year (felt like the prop wash was keeping the rutter straight). I figured I would be changing the steering cable - I ended up findng the rutter box WITHOUT a grease cert...

I greased her up real good - seems to be fine so far this year....

[talltigeguy]

I think that is called a Zerk fitting, right? If all that I have to do is grease the rudder and/or change the cable, that would be nice. To my knowledge, the cable is the original, manufactured in 06, so it is probably pretty great that it has lasted this long.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Keep the ideas coming, please.

[jslayde1]

ha ha - yeah Zerk....not cert

[Bakes5]

Well, i had the exact same thing going on. I thought it was my cable and replaced it. No change. So i swapped out my rudder and rudder box and that pretty much fixed it for about a yr. now it seems like it is about the same so i just consider it my workout.

[Stingreye]

Tall, when I replaced my steering cable I noticed that the tube it connects into also pivots some. It was a little stiff. Add some grease there too, crank wheel back and forth and it will loosen up even more.

I will see if i can find a pic of the assembly somewhere to explain.

EDIT FOUND PIC:
I think this is it:

WA posted a pic here.
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...498#post606498

You can see the black bracket has a curved cutout, if someone turns the wheel you can see the tube pivot there some. If you are changing your cable and greasing the rudder, might as well look at that pivot joint.