2002 SN 196 - play in steering

[jerry44]

I have a 2002 - 196 with about 3" of play in the steering wheel. I checked at the rudder and it' tight there.

Should I replace the steering cable or could it be something else?

Thanks

[NigelC]

Are you referring to left <> right play in the steering or fore <> aft play in the steering wheel. If its the later, it's probably the bush in the tilt mechanism that's worn. If you have left / right play have you checked the tightness of the four bolts that fix the steering rack onto the helm. Also check for excessive movement in the rudder.

[jerry44]

Thanks for your reply. I am referring to the left <> right play. I did check the rudder and it was slightly loose but that didn't help the overall play much.

I did not check the tightness of the bolts in the steering rack but I will do that. I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile to remove the 4 bolts and have a look.

Thanks again.

[NigelC]

I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile to remove the 4 bolts and have a look.

That's a good starting point. You can then check for any play between the steering wheel and the pinion gear. There should be very little play between the two.
If the helm looks OK check the condition of the teeth on both the rack and pinion gears. Could be wear in one or both of these. How many hours are there on the boat and when was the steering cable last replaced (if at all).

[jerry44]

The boat has about 700 hours now and the steering cable has never been replaced. I've owned it for 8 of the 9 years.

I will check the things you suggested on Friday when I get back home.

Thanks for your help!

[jerry44]

I removed the 4 bolts that hold the rack. There were some washers between the rack and the mount so I removed the washers and bolted it back on to see what that would do. It probably reduced the play from 3" to 2", maybe 2.5".

I ordered a cable from White Lake but the number on the old cable is SSC14279 and the number on the new cable is SSC15279.

With the rack off there is little if any play between the steering wheel and the pinion gear so it would seem to me that the steering cable is the problem.

Seems like I read somewhere that someone put some grease in the rack before reinstalling it and it reduced the play. I don't really understand why it would but I'm sure it needs grease anyway. I'm not sure what type of grease to use.

Any further insight into this would be appreciated.

[jerry44]

I was looking at the rudder end of the steering cable.

Does the gas tank have to be removed to connect the stationary part of the cable?

[shortline1]

did you ever figure out your problem?? I have the same issue on my 02

[jerry44]

Yes, it was the steering cable. I had it replaced about 6 weeks ago I guess. It drives like a dream now. I said my boat had 700 hours. I was wrong, it has a little less than 400.

[JayG80]

The fuel tank does not need to be removed. Remove the floor panel aft of engine box to access the nut that is integral to the steering cable. The nut is a bit over 1". I used a basin wrench to loosen the nut. Pull the rudder end of the cable into the engine compartment and tie a rope to it. My boat had a zip tye secured with a phillips head screw that held the steering cable up near the engine mount.