Sportjet steering cable?

[glowball]

Took the boat out friday and experienced something new in the steering. It was not near as responsive as it should be. It was also spitting some mud up through the end of the cable up by the steering wheel. I'm guessing that it is probably time to change the cable.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Kris

[fishkisser]

Is it mud or rust ? If its mud ... something strange is going on ...
If its rust you can try some spray grease like Wurth Sabestos H H S 2000 ...
But it sounds like a cable change is in order ...

[glowball]

It was mud. Very runny mud. I can't figureout why it would be coming up through my cable though. The only thing I found out of place upon inspection was the nut up on the wheel end of the cable was not tightened up. So it wouldn't allow me to steer all the way to the right. Which was the direction I was having the hardest time turning. I still think I need a new one though. Almost feels like the cable was stretching inside. Wouldn't turn against the out pressure of water.

[fishkisser]

Runny mud ...:confused:
Now thats a new one on Me ... You can always pull the cable to inspect it by taking the cable out of the sheath if possible ...
If you do pull it and it runs under the deck attach a small rope to one end so you can pull it back through when replacing it or reinstalling ...:twocents:

[STLHEAD1]

There is a rubber bellows on the outside of the pump housing that the steering cable goes through. If it is torn or missing you will have water intrusion into the cable housing. Usually this is more of an issue in the winter when it will freeze your steering up.

I just replaced my cable because I moved my center console forward and I needed a longer cable and the rubber bellows came with the new cable. More than likely you will have to pull the floor to change out the cable and to access the front of the jet tunnel where the cable housing goes through the thru the hull fitting.

Good luck on this project.

[Jedcraft]

Had a 175hp SJ. After a few years the exhaust melted the housing on the steering cable and it kinda caught in the middle of the turn. Ended up replacing the cable. The cable is routed right in front of the exhaust outlet. Had to remove the intake grate and those million little star head screws but not too bad a job. If you use the fresh water washdown adapter only idle the engine and never run it dry.

[glowball]

I had that problem with my shift cable. It was melted bad right under the motor. I found the mud problem tonight. There is a hole in the boot. Had my daughter turn the wheel back and forth while I looked back there with a light. I pulled it the cable loose and took the boot apart at one end to let dry. I think I will fill the boot with grease and see if I can get by till I find a cable. I'm going to have to pull the front section of the floor up to try and get the numbers off of the cable. The numbers by the wheel are rubbed and I can't get the shop enough info to get me a new one to put in.

Thanks
Kris

[skunkedalot]

I had what sounds like the exact problem, under the rubber bellows previously mentioned there is a metal tube that the cable runs thru,mine came loose and allowed the cable to kink when under throttle in a right turn.Check that, I'd almost bet on it. I used marine tex(like jb weld) to keep it in place.

[glowball]

That is exactly what is happening. I'm going to take it all apart again tonight after work.

Thanks
Kris

[Uboat]

Here is a site to find the correct steering cable for your SJ. The engine and pump seriel numbers are on the flywheel cover. Depending on what type of through hull fitting you have you may not need to drop the ride plate. You can just pull the cable through with with some nylon twine. I did mine on my 18' Alumaweld SJ and it wasn't too hard. The hardest part was getting the old one out.

http://www.mercruiserparts.com

UBoat