2005 24V Steering very stiff

[Jeff&Maureen]

Had my boat broken into while I was away for a couple of weeks, anyways they
left the tarp undone and the boat filled with water from the rain. It was in a boat storage lot. (secured of course) After I drained the water out and we launched, I noticed that the steering was almost unable to turn. Is it possible to grease it? or is it replacement time?
Thanks

[samw]

You could try and greese the rudder but that is it. I would say you will need to replace.

[lee]

You will need to replace the cable.

[talltigeguy]

I would never store my boat outside with the plug in. Because this is one of the things that happens. I have heard of a boat getting enough water in it over a winter to get around the engine.

[zad0030]

Greasing your steering cable is like treating a gun shot wound yourself. Yeah it might help for a little but eventually you gotta go to the hospital.

Just replace it now, and you will be much happier.

[loudelectronics]

I took a syringe and punctured a hole in the steering cable under the helm. I then injected coolant into the cable. It took a while to get the coolant down to the end put after a week it loosened right up. Coolant has corrosion inhibitors such as polyphosphate, nitrate and other proprietory blends. It lubricates and then protects the line later down the road if it happens again. Give it some time to work though cause it takes a while for the liquid to get to where it needs to go. You have to work it in by turning the wheel back and forth too.

[Greg Mallek]

I took a syringe and punctured a hole in the steering cable under the helm. I then injected coolant into the cable. It took a while to get the coolant down to the end put after a week it loosened right up. Coolant has corrosion inhibitors such as polyphosphate, nitrate and other proprietory blends. It lubricates and then protects the line later down the road if it happens again. Give it some time to work though cause it takes a while for the liquid to get to where it needs to go. You have to work it in by turning the wheel back and forth too.

Wow, I have never heard of doing this before. It sounds like it would take a very long time to get enough coolant into the line by injecting just a few cc's at a time. Great idea though for a quickie fix when in a pinch.

[loudelectronics]

Wow, I have never heard of doing this before. It sounds like it would take a very long time to get enough coolant into the line by injecting just a few cc's at a time. Great idea though for a quickie fix when in a pinch.

Yup it does take a while for it to get in. Best off using a 60 ML (cc) syringe too. The best part is that it protects your cable from further corrosion later down the road. The corrosion that occurs is just surface rust. I dont agree with throwing a perfectly good cable away for just this. If the cable goes untreated it will be pooched but if you catch it early you should still get years out of the cable if you keep adding the coolant periodically. But do give it some time. Inject some, then move the steering wheel around, and then inject some more and keep repeating. Make sure you go out and drive it too to get the cable heated up from steering back and forth. With in a week the steering should be back to normal.

Make sure you use a good coolant that says contains corrosion inhibitors. Dont by the antifreeze only. Buy straight up green or pink coolant.

[chpthril]

I'd like to here more details on this..........I hate to change a cable after 2 years

[loudelectronics]

I used to do this on my ATV cables all the time because I I like to swamp my machines. My new grizz is all hydraulic now so I don't have to worry.

I did this to my cable last year to get it lubed and protected. My boat is an 04 and had the cable replaced in 05 by the first owner. It has not been changed since. I have not added any to my cable this year as I keep my bilge area very dry now or at least it has not rained that much this year to fill it up. Last year my bilge was always full and would sit for a week like this on multiple accounts. So far so good. Steers better then it did when I bought it.

[tigecanuck]

Jeff,

Sorry to hear about the break-in to your boat. I am sure your boat came from us at Hyperactive Watersports and we do have steering cables in stock. We could change it right away as this time of year our service shop is not too busy with everyone out using their Tiges. If it were my boat I would consider giving the syringe and lube/anti-freeze injection a try first. We change cables on relatively new boats all the time, I think because our summer is so short here and they sit un-used for so much time. In your case, a couple of weeks submerged in a full bilge has likely siezed it pretty good. Maybe we should look at the anti-freeze injection as part of our winterization process (cause changing those cable is just not the kind of work our service guys love).

Let us know if we can help.

Hyperactive Watersports

[loudelectronics]

Must be nice to have a dealer that cares. I just wish I had a dealer! MC, Bu, Cent, Nautique but no more TIge.

[jmstige]

where do you get a syringe to do such a thing? This looks interesting...

Would a syringe that is used to inject seasoning into a turkey before you fry it work? How hard is it to pierce the cable housing under the helm?

[loudelectronics]

I would try a pharmacy or a large animal vet. You can use any size however the larger the easier it is to squeeze in. I would look for a minimum of 60 ml's/cc. The cable is tough but the needle does pierce it with some angle and a bite of the tongue.

[lee]

where do you get a syringe to do such a thing?

On a Friday night you might could go downtown and get one.