How to change a steering cable.

[Fire_medic]

replaced the steering cable in my 05 22v I used an 18 footer the same as the one that was in it. I re routed it over the tank and the 18 footer had more than enough slack so I'm glad I didnt use the 19 footer as I heard some people have. I did the whole job in just under 2 hours (like 1 hour and 50 min. lol but still under 2 hours)if anyone has 05 22v or a close to and are going to do the cable if you have any questions just shoot me an mesage and ill try and help out.

[Greg Mallek]

I'm getting ready to replace the cable in my 24V. I got the SSC15421 Extreme cable. Has anyone replaced the steering hub as well? was it a dificult job? I have some play (about an inch), and think its coming from the hub.
Any thoughts??

[TigeDuner]

I am going to do a friends 2005 24V this weekend and I did mine last season.
I did not read all the posts again, but I do remember 2 things. I got the 19' cable by mistake and it did work fine, but no shorter. And, I cut down an 1 1/8" open end wrench to get to the big nut on the cable. Made things much easier. Good luck. The results are unbelievable.

[Greg Mallek]

Last week I started to replace both my steering cable, and helm. I was advised to change the helm due to both age, and wear. This will be my third steering cable. For the additional 50 bucks, what the heck. I started with the steering wheel and hub. Let me preface that I am no master mechanic. Just pretty good with my hands and tools. the steering hub, and helm were a breeze. It took me longer to find a steering wheel puller, that to replace the entire unit, which only took about an hour total.
I read all the advise thats been posted, and I thank you guys soo much !! Lee's tool list was on the money, but I would like to add a pair of Bolt Cutters to cut the cable, and do yourself a favor, get a 3" 1-1/8" open end wrench for the coupler. It will save you alot of time, and knuckle skin. After cutting, and removing the old cable, I fished a wire from on top of the tank to the cable opening near the helm. I used the fish wire to guide the new cable over the top of the tank. I did this by myself, and only took about 3 trys to get it. After that, the rest was very easy. The stubby wrench makes all the differance in the world. All in all, the entire job took me about 3 hours by myself ( I have no freinds) Lol. Grab a buddy, and I bet you could do it in two hours complete. I was a bit nervous to attemt this, but dont hessitate. You can do it. Just be patient, and think it out first.
P.S. The steering is now effortless !!

[ddutcher]

Great to hear Greg, you are my friend so do you want to help me out one of these days. I am still on my first cable.

[Greg Mallek]

LOL Dan.
You are my freind. Ill help you out anytime. Just let me know when. I cant believe oyur on your first cable still. How many hours on the beast ??

[ddutcher]

Hours are somwhere around 300, not quite sure due to my hour meter reseting itself last summer after the rains in Shasta. I havent had the boat out this year yet. My tower broke last year so Proflight did a redisign so I went with them again. THe boat is at Chucktronics right now getting the tower wired up. I should be picking it up tomorrow or Friday. I will see if I can get through another year with the old cable but it was getting tight last year. I will let you know.

[Greg Mallek]

Dan;
It wont take long. Once it starts getting tight, it goes fast. A new Extreme Teleflex cable cost me $144.00. Well worth the effort.

[ddutcher]

I think the appropriate response is Thats what she said. LOL. I will check it out and give you a buzz if needed. When are we having lunch?

[Greg Mallek]

HAHA, had to read it again, im a bit slow today. Lunch?? Anytime! Changs in Walnut Creek next week? My daughter is the Bar Tender there.

[InsideOut104]

Well everyone, wish me luck!! Heading out to the Colorado River in Yuma, AZ tonight and plan to do this on my 2004 22i first thing tomorrow morning! I'm not the most mechanically inclined person, but I have a mechanic friend out there so I can scream for help if needed.

Is there any particular reason as to why you can't just tape the 2 steering cable together and while pulling the old one out up by the steering wheel, pulling the new one up at the same time?

Thanks!

[off2board]

Well everyone, wish me luck!! Heading out to the Colorado River in Yuma, AZ tonight and plan to do this on my 2004 22i first thing tomorrow morning! I'm not the most mechanically inclined person, but I have a mechanic friend out there so I can scream for help if needed.

Is there any particular reason as to why you can't just tape the 2 steering cable together and while pulling the old one out up by the steering wheel, pulling the new one up at the same time?

Thanks!

The space just isn't there to work the new cables thru that way. You'll understand once you get at it.
If you don't have the bigger tank like I do, it won't be hard at all though.

[strohlde]

we taped a wire to the end of the original - pulled it through the helm...then taped that to the rudder end of the new one and pulled that back through...took a couple minutes.

[InsideOut104]

Got it all done in about an hour and a half! People are making too big of a deal with this whole thing! It's EASY PEEZY!!

Thanks for all the descriptions, pics, etc. everyone!! Happy boating!

[carlamason]

So I just got done doing the cable on the 24V.... I pulled the floor and you got about two feet to run the cable under the floor until you get on top of the fuel tank. I dropped it in from under the foot well and had a buddy use a metal bar to keep it on top of the fuel tank while I fed it and he could reach it. It popped right out. Took us less than a minute to totally feed the line through. Hardest part was getting to the tiller arm. To do that We took an electric impact from the starboard side of the motor (had to fish it in from the port side though) to get to the bolt, and held the 1/2 drive on the nut to keep it from turning. Done in 5 secs with that.

2 people and done in 25 mins! Not bad at all!

*if you've never done one b4, just remember you can extend the cable by turning the wheel to let it connect to the swivel... mine wouldn't reach and I couldn't figure it out. Then it hit me. DUH!!!

Tanner do you know the lengh cable the 24 VE uses?
Carla