Help: Stiff Steering

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  • ebbiecalvin
    • May 2006
    • 1



    Help: Stiff Steering

    My 95 Sport Nautique has been in dry storage for 3 years. I just got it out yesterday, ran fine, but the steering was very stiff, way beyond normal.

    Is this a product of setting for a long period of time without use, or may I have another issue?

    I don't remember it being this way at all when I put it away...

    Steering now takes two hands and I need to be careful about lining up straight prior to giving it the gas.

    Any help is greatly appreciated.
  • drobshaw
    • Aug 2010
    • 12


    • 2003 super air nautique(gt40) 2001 super air nautique(gt 40)

    #2
    Steering Cable

    There is at least one grease fitting in the steering cable, you can pump it with grease yourself, you just need a grease gun and grease of course, not sure where the fitting is located on your model though, you owners manual should tell you

    Comment

    • GC
      • Sep 2003
      • 54

      • Tampa, Fl


      #3
      You need to disconnect the cable from the tiller arm and determine if the problem is with the cable, rudder, or both.

      Comment

      • RexB
        • Oct 2009
        • 74

        • Sacramento, CA


        #4
        Most likley the cable. Replace it or grease it as suggested before you go back on the water. If it snaps while you are out there, you're screwed.
        2009 211 Crossover; Triple White
        "I used to be disgusted; now I try to be amused...."
        E. Costello, 1979.

        Comment

        • j2nh
          Senior Member of PLANETNAUTIQUE
          • Dec 2003
          • 628

          • Spread Eagle Wisconsin


          #5
          Replace the cable. Unless it has already been done you are now at 15 years and it is time. Grease might help but sooner rather than later it's gonna have to be done so now is the perfect time. Not a tough job and if memory serves me correctly the cable is only a couple of hundred bucks.
          2018 200 Team H6
          2009 196 Team ZR 409
          2005 196 Limited ZR 375
          2003 196 Limited Excalibur
          1999 196 Masters Edition
          1995 ProStar 190 LT1 (Bayliner)
          1987 ProStar 190

          Comment

          • AirTool
            1,000 Post Club Member
            • Sep 2007
            • 4049

            • Katy, Texas


            #6
            IIRC, greasing the modern cable ruins the polymer inside the sleeve and shortens its life.

            Comment

            • 74green
              • Nov 2009
              • 281

              • Canyon Lake, Texas

              • 2001 Air Nautique

              #7
              It took two hands to turn mine. Replaced the cable and it was a world of difference.
              Current: 2001 Air Nautique GT-40

              Comment

              • onsse
                • Jan 2005
                • 8



                #8
                i'm in the same boat as the OP. however my steering cable was just replaced not more than 3 yrs ago. but today after not running the boat for 1 year, the steering is very very stiff. do i need to lube it or just replace it? where do i lube this? it as 93 sport nautique.

                thanks.

                ps. sorry for highjacking the thread.

                Comment

                • DanielC
                  1,000 Post Club Member
                  • Nov 2005
                  • 2669

                  • West Linn OR

                  • 1997 Ski Nautique

                  #9
                  If your boat ever has had water in the bilge, above the rudder end of the steering cable, the water can work up into the steering cable and cause problems.
                  there is not a zerk fitting on the steering cable on my 1997 Ski Nautique, nor is there on on the rudder port.

                  I have removed the aluminum tube that anchors the rudder end of the cable, and taken the tube out of the boat, and cleaned old hardened grease out of the tube, and relubed the telescoping parts of the cable and the aluminum tube.

                  You can also lube the rudder, easy, if you have a zerk fitting on the rudder port, but if you do not, you have to remove the rudder to grease it.

                  Comment

                  • onsse
                    • Jan 2005
                    • 8



                    #10
                    thanks for the suggestion. i'll try it today.

                    Comment

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