Well, the steering was getting a little hard at speed this year, and Lee made that excellent post about replacing the cable on a V, so I thought - that doesn't look that hard. HA! What a beating - every step of the way. Here's my report (maybe it will help someone else)
First - removed the impeller and fuel/water filter. These were on the yearly list and they need to come off to get access to the nut on the cable.
I started the job without realizing my tool kit doesn't have a 1 1/8" open end wrench and none of my neighbors do either. Solution - Northern Tool and picked one up for $8 (not bad). Even with this wrench, I couldn't get the clearance to turn the nut - I would get a little turn, but when I flipped the wrench around I couldn't get the wrench back on it. I let this whip me for quite a while. I cut the box end of the wrench off with a torch in an attempt to make the wrench just a little bit shorter - still no go. I figured the only way to get the room was to remove the thingy that has the water hoses from the V-Drive which was right in the way. Only one nut on the bracket holding it to the block. The bottom water hose was stuck on this, preventing me from moving it out of the way. I tore myself up (nasty carpet burn on my forearm and busted knuckles) getting that sucker off. I knew I was close when I saw the blood on the stupid 1 1/8" nut. Finally I was able to get a wrench on it and loosen the nut. Whew - step one complete.
The nut attaching the cable to the rudder was uneventful as were the bolts at the helm. Now all I have to do is cut the cable and remove it. Again - I didn't quite have the tools to make this happen. That cable is serious. I tried all the cutting tools in my garage and I wasn't even coming close to cutting it. I tried to get the trusty dremmle tool out - this started to cut it, but sparks were flying everywhere. I'm right by the gas tank and gas lines with these sparks
My neighbor had a large hand held diamond blade saw that I borrowed - sliced thru it in about 5 seconds.
Putting the new cable in was pretty uneventful - little bit of a whip to fish it from the helm to the top of the gas tank, but I'm happy to report it is DONE!
Now - I just have to put everything back together.
I realize my lack of tools and minimal mechanical experience didn't help me - but that was a serious beating!!!
First - removed the impeller and fuel/water filter. These were on the yearly list and they need to come off to get access to the nut on the cable.
I started the job without realizing my tool kit doesn't have a 1 1/8" open end wrench and none of my neighbors do either. Solution - Northern Tool and picked one up for $8 (not bad). Even with this wrench, I couldn't get the clearance to turn the nut - I would get a little turn, but when I flipped the wrench around I couldn't get the wrench back on it. I let this whip me for quite a while. I cut the box end of the wrench off with a torch in an attempt to make the wrench just a little bit shorter - still no go. I figured the only way to get the room was to remove the thingy that has the water hoses from the V-Drive which was right in the way. Only one nut on the bracket holding it to the block. The bottom water hose was stuck on this, preventing me from moving it out of the way. I tore myself up (nasty carpet burn on my forearm and busted knuckles) getting that sucker off. I knew I was close when I saw the blood on the stupid 1 1/8" nut. Finally I was able to get a wrench on it and loosen the nut. Whew - step one complete.
The nut attaching the cable to the rudder was uneventful as were the bolts at the helm. Now all I have to do is cut the cable and remove it. Again - I didn't quite have the tools to make this happen. That cable is serious. I tried all the cutting tools in my garage and I wasn't even coming close to cutting it. I tried to get the trusty dremmle tool out - this started to cut it, but sparks were flying everywhere. I'm right by the gas tank and gas lines with these sparks
My neighbor had a large hand held diamond blade saw that I borrowed - sliced thru it in about 5 seconds.
Putting the new cable in was pretty uneventful - little bit of a whip to fish it from the helm to the top of the gas tank, but I'm happy to report it is DONE!
Now - I just have to put everything back together.
I realize my lack of tools and minimal mechanical experience didn't help me - but that was a serious beating!!!
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