Replacing steering cable on 2001 21v

[boater]

Has anyone replaced there steering cable on the 21v?? How difficalt is it to do?

[Steve Walsh]

For the self-inflicted repair project . . .

Here's a copy of post a few years back . . . I have the same boat and year . . . the key is prevention . . . no more than an inch of water in the bilge . . . once the cable is soaked, you're done in the near future . . . after replacing mine four years ago, it is good as new by storing in the full left position and keeping the bilge "dry" . . . good luck . . .

The old post:
Howdy . . . having experienced this "fun" steering cable replacement on my 2001 21V, I've have a few tips that I would like to share . . . after you have disconnected the cable slide from the rudder (one bolt), tie a thin rope to the hole on the end of the cable long enough to go from the back all the way to the front of your boat . . . you'll nee a short cresent wrench (about 5" long -- I cut mine) to undo the large nut on the cable shaft . . . you'll just love ripping your knuckles on this procedure . . . you will also need to drain the gas tank and remove the attachments holding the tank . . . I found that I did not need to remove the vent pipe, it moved enought to allow the cable to pass under the tank, you will need to remove the filler hose . . . raise the tank an inch or two with a few boards and you can tie the front of the tank with a rope up to your tower to hold it up a few inches and move back toward the engine as far as you can . . . under the dash the small box around the cable needs to be removed (two screws), that will give you the ability to remove and also push the cable through the hole in the floor . . . disconnect the cable at the rack and pinion connection (four bolts). . . once this is done, you can pull the cable out from the dash side and the rope should follow . . . attach the rope to the new cable and reverse the process . . . here's a tip -- duck tape the slide to the large nut so when you pull the rope back through, the slide does not expand and it also keeps the junk out of threads . . . make sure when tightening the large nut that you DO NOT strip the treads . . . do it by hand then use the wrench and rip up your knuckles again . . . I am now storing my steering in the full-left position . . . this keeps the slide all the way in protecting it from the elements . . . good luck . . . Steve

[Jason B]

I did 1/2 the job last summer. I let the marina finish it. I could not get the new cable under the tank to save my life. Tried going over it also to no avail. I'd pay to have it done again in one second....and I'm probably better than average as far as mechanical work goes. This is the first and only mechanical project I've ever quit.

Take that for what it's worth.

[boater]

Thanks for the input. the steering is a little hard to turn. I think I'm going to try and make it last this year and have SOMEOME eles do the work next win--- Win---Winnnnnnter. That is a hard word to say.

[jeevs24V]

I would not wait until winter, mine is at the Tige dealer right now getting a new steering cable ($300 installed). My steering cable got real bad and we almost did not make it back to the marina, when we left it felt ok about 2 hours on the lake it all went south. I guess from what i have heard it was a little odd how fast mine went out but getting stuck on the lake is not work the risk. Good luck!

[LakeBum22]

I agree. Get it fixed. I have had one break while on the lake and it is a long trip back with a paddle as your rudder. Your shoulders will thank you too. I just boat a 2000 21V and mine was a little bit stiff and it got even worse when the boat was loaded up. I am replacing mine next weekend.

[boater]

With the flooding and the rain we have here in St. Louis I have used my boat 1 time. I'm taking it to the shop the Wednesday after Memoiral Day. If I can get to the shop due to the flooding.