Replacing the Steering Cable

[Steve Walsh]

Well . . . the steering cable needs to be replaced after all . . . I have a 2001 21V and I was told that the gas tank needed to be moved up a little and back a little to rerun the new steering cable . . . it won't move at all, even after emptying most of the tank, removing the eight screws on each side of the tank that hold it to the stringers . . . What is the trick to this operation? Are the rubber bushings holding it in place? Can I run the cable without moving the gas tank? Help . . . thanks, Steve

[Tige M.D.]

most of the time the tank does have to move. but, it can be done with out moving it. the rubber bushings can be holding the tank in place. if the tank was totally loose then it will drop down about a 1/2". also, have you to disconnected the hoses from the tank? if you have, make sure you took the fuel vent fitting out of the tank. this fitting is in the fwd, port storage compartment. open the hatch and look straight down and inboard (right). you will see a hose and a barbed fitting threaded into the tank. other than those things it is just going to a little elbow grease and alot of pactience. if you have a rotory helm and cable then make sure you pull the cable out towards the back of the boat. if it is a rack and pinion then it will have to be pulled forward. most likely it is a rotory.

be sure to use a fishtape when pulling the old cable out. makes the install alot easier.

when replacing the fuel lines and fittings, be absolutely sure they go back in correctly. the last thing you want is a fuel leak. so check and re-check your work.

[Steve Walsh]

Thanks for your suggestions . . . the project has been completed . . . would not want to do it again for a few years . . . the new cable is great . . . right back to when I bought the boat in 2001 . . . did not have to remove the vent pipe but needed to raise the gas tank an inch or two . . . there was enough clearance to pull the new cable through with the rope attached, the trick was to duck-tape the new cable at the nut and slider so when pulling it through around the corner and under the tank you wouldn't expand the slider . . . now it is time to clean up the boat and get ready for another season here in Tennessee.

[lee]

I new you could do it.

[scootc]

Tige M.D., Is there any preventive maintenance for the steering cables - can they be lubed? I did cables on my last boat (expensive and time consuming) and really don't want to go through it on this one. Thanks.

[Tige M.D.]

keep them dry, and do not grease them. the grease ends up getting old a sticky, killing the cable. 2-3 years is about the max, anymore than that is borrowed time.

[maroco]

How Good Does it get?

I am about to replace the Cable in a 2001 21v and i bought the boat about 6 months ago from a guy that did not take good care of it. It is very hard to turn and I was wondering when i get this replaced how good will it be. Mastercraft boats are so easy to turn i can do it with one finger. The V drive boats seem a little harder even on mastercraft but i am just wondering how this will compare after the cable is replaced with one from the tige dealership?

[dogbert]

It should be pretty easy.

[guedo8]

I just had to replace mine on my 04 22v. The shop reran it over the gas tank so the cable isn't sitting it water. The shop guy said it will last longer that way. I guess we'll see.

[chadster2]

I’ve been a tiga’ owner for 3 seasons now. This is my first time posting to any board anywhere.
I’ve got a 2004, 22 ft riders’ edition with a stiff steering cable.
The question is: How do you get the floor up?
The back of the back seat is stumping me, let alone the cable and everything else.