Cable & pulley to rack & pinion steering

chefdude · 03-27-2010, 07:02 PM

Working over a boat that had a 1977 Mercury on it with the rack and pinion steering. I purchased a 1972 Evinrude to replace the Mercury with. It came with a pully style steering. Can it be changed to rack & pinion?

chefdude · 03-28-2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chefdude

Working over a boat that had a 1977 Mercury on it with the rack and pinion steering. I purchased a 1972 Evinrude to replace the Mercury with. It came with a pully style steering. Can it be changed to rack & pinion?

I guess the steering is called Teleflex rather than rack and pinion.

KChookem · 03-28-2010, 03:01 PM

Hi chefdude...

Teleflex is the company name, and rack and pinion is a type of steering. Pulley is another type, and the recently hydraulic steering has become more popular (probably because the cost has come down, and installation easier for the DIY'er).

I suggest you call the Service Tech people at Teleflex; you can find the number at their website, as well on info about the various types of steering. I've called them before, and they were very friendly and helpful.

Have info about the make and style of your boats and motors, and the nice folks at Teleflex can advise your options.

chefdude · 03-28-2010, 07:43 PM

This is the bracket or adapter that I am looking for

steering adapter.jpg.

I will give Teleflex a call in the morning. I might also ask at a local marine store.

KChookem · 03-29-2010, 06:19 PM

The photo looks like a homemade system, and may be very functional. It has the Teleflex steering cable secured to, and running through, a tube that is firmly secured to the transom. The tube may have come from a scrapped outboard motor.

If there is not an 'on-the-shelf' tube-housing assembly, it looks like you could use the photo as an example to make one yourself.

If you've not yet talked to Teleflex, ask them about lubricating a steering cable - I believe you'll find they recommend VERY LIGHT lubing, and you would not need the zerk fitting on the tube.

fishin"G"man · 03-30-2010, 02:52 PM

The system you show us looks like a set up you'd see in an IO boat. Outboards have a tube aka the tilt tube where the steering cable goes through it and screws onto it. The drag link is standard steering stuff.

While the set up you show us looks just like a transom mounted system I can't think of any reason it won't work on any OB motor although it is "unusual" to see that in your application.