94 Sport Nautique Stiff Steering & Gas Gauge

[ccole]

Just became the proud owner (3rd one) of a 1994 Sport Nautique (which we love), but it has two problems. First the stirring is very stiff, it takes two hands and effort to turn (especially at 20 mph). Pervious owner took good care of it and said he replaced the steering cable about 2 years ago, with a statement that all inboards are harder to stir than an out drive. Is there a "flaw" in the 94 stirring design or is replacing the cable and grease going to solve it? Second, the gas gauge doesn work, the former owner said it just went out when doing some wiring on the sterio "probably I knocked a wire loose." Again, is it easy to trouble-shoot something like that?

[ClemsonDave]

I have 2 friends with 97 SN's. They both had to replace steering cables last year. Same thing you are describing, very hard to move steering wheel. My guess is the prev. owner did not really replace the cable, or it is just time for another one.

If you do replace it on your own, tie a strong string to the old cable as you pull it out. Then, tie this string to the new cable and pull back through. It is very hard to run the cable on its own. Make sure it does not make any sharp turns.

Generally, steering can be a bit difficult depending on how much grinding they did on the rudder. this is done to help hold a straight line through the course. However, at worst, if it was just this, it would be harder to steer one direction and easy the other. If hard both ways, probably cable.

Gas Gauge. Either wiring or the float in the tank. You can try to look and follow wiring behind dash. Otherwise, you may want to take it in. Replacing the float is not terribly tough, but diagnosing the problem can be tricky.

hope this helps,
dave

[skinautique]

I would guess that the rudder hasn't really been grinded. I would grease the rudder first. There might not be a zerk fitting on that year though so you would have to drop the rudder if that is the case. If the steering doesn't get easier, then you need to replace the cable.

[mrese]

There are several good previous threads on steering. Going with the fact you trusted the guy enough and bought the boat, give him the benefit of the doubt he changed the cable. Maybe the cable isn't the problem, hence the steering is still tight. Before you drop the rudder, when you disconnect the cable from the rudder, see if the rudder is easier to move or if the steering wheel is easier to move, that would "steer" you in the right direction. Also, ensure that the packing nut and jam nut are tight. Sometimes they work themselves loose and the rudder will bind. Also check to see that the rudder is indead straight and shaft is not bent. I was prepared to purchase the cable and when I started trouble shooting, it turned out to be a really tightened gland nut which eventually forced the wax through the mounting hole, thus preventing the rudder from moving freely. Cost of materails to repair dropped from $230.00 for the cable to $1.00 for the packing rope. Cleaned out the hole and shaft, and repacked the rudder shaft. I'd trust the PO and look at all the other possibilites before I just installed a new cable.

For the gas gauge, if all else fails and you really want to know the amount of fuel in the tank today before your new system gets installed, take a 3/8 inch dowel rod, measure the inside of the tank from bottom to top and mark the rod. Not to fancy but it is effective.

[ccole]

Thanks to everyone, I'll take a look at all these. I feel like I'm part of a "family" now. I've been very impressed with the Nautique community already.

[slob02]

Cable!!

[target54]

I HAD SAME PROBLEM IN MY 94SN.

I have a 94' SN and I had really stiff steering too. It sucked! We had to use two hands and it was really hard to turn. I mean really hard to turn - my wife stopped wanting to pull me and end of the cove turns were almost out of the question. We had the steering cable replaced twice and it was still stiff.

As it turned out....we had the wrong size cable in our boat. The guy working on our boat used a new cable he had on-hand and not the correct length cable for our boat. The one he put into our boat was too long. So, once we had the correct lenght cable put in we could turn with our pinky finger again and it was heavenly!!!! Like you, we tried repairing,greesing and susspecting everything just because we "knew" the cable was brand new.

Good luck,
Dave

[SWCC-PART-MAN]

one way to isolate the problem is to remove the bolt where the cable fastens to the rudder arm. this will let you know if its the cable or in the rudder/port. the 94 takes the s2205 cable, which that particular cable has minimal clearance from the cable to the sheilding (inside the cable). that steering head is NLA and you can upgrade to a later head and cable cause the s5201 (1998-) seems to last longer due to more clearance on the inside of the cable. whatever your decision....good luck!!

[SWCC-PART-MAN]

if your rudder is tight it could be that the rudder packing is adjusted to tight. that is designed along the same lines as the packing gland on the shaft. 1 drip per second. if you replace the packing make sure that spacer washer is inbetween top jam nut and rudder arm. i wouldnt worry with pumping grease in the rudder port cause it to is water lubricated like the packing gland.

[SWCC-PART-MAN]

on your fuel gauge.....access the fuel tank. remove the PINK wire from the sending unit and turn on the ignition. touch the pink wire to the GREEN wire or just ground it. the fuel gauge should sweep. if yes..bad sender. if no...check the back of the fuel gauge for all of the wires...pink=sender, black=ground blue=lights purple=ignition...if all are... there cross the pink and ground ....gauge should sweep. if no you have a bad gauge.

[jhiestand]

I had an EXTREMELY similar issue with my '94 Sport and tried everything including changing the steering cable. NO DICE. Mine steered fine at idle but once on plane it required two hands. The problem turned out to be the rudder assembly was void of grease. There's a zirk on the backside of the rudder housing I didn't notice and NO ONE suggested I hit it with grease. Night and day difference! A few pumps and it was like I had power steering. I highly suggest you check that before you change your steering cable.

[ccole]

Now for the rest of the story...first the stirring. As it turned out it was a bad cable, the Correct Craft dealer in Portland, Oregon said that it took two hands to move the cable after it was disconnected. The bad news is that the cable for the 1994 is no longer available, the good news is I now have an updated linkage housing and cable. I can move the wheel with one finger (bummer I don't get my arm workout while driving, back to the weights). The bad news is that it was discovered I needed to re-pack the rudder, but the good news is that it isn't leaking. Also, there is a zirk back there, but it is not easy to get at, you really can't see it unless you remove the battery and reach around all the fittings and stuff. Now for the gas gauge, since we had to do the repacking, it was all exposed and it turned out to be a bad sensor, so that is all fixed (good news, no more getting towed in from misguessing how much was left). Also, I've learned to control the gas when filling. The first time I filled it, I set the gas pump handle to fill by itself, when it clicked I thought it was done (no gauge to look at), but it turns out it wasn't full. So I've learned to put the gas in slower and by "hand." So, after winterizing, new cable & housing, and a repack I'm at $1,000, the only real bad news is that it is winterized and we'll have to wait to March to enjoy it. Thanks for all the feedback and advice, it was greatly appreciated.

[NautiqueJeff]

Steering cables for '94 Nautiques are still available. White Lake has them.

http://www.whitelake.com/catalog/ste...97_3524277.htm