95 ski nautique open bow steering problems

[95skinautique]

Hey everybody today while pulling the boat out I noticed that my steering wheel was really tight. So I decided to troubleshoot. I disconnected the link from the rudder and it was still tight. So then I pulled the bar off from the steering rack and the wheel is free as can be. Do I need to replace the steering cable? or is there a way to grease it? I also found that the rudder by itself was a little gritty feeling when i pulled it one way and free the other. Is there a way to lube the rudder shaft?? And one other the brace that holds the cable right before the rudder has some up and down play is that normal??? Hopefully the pics work. Please help Thank you
.

[DanielC]

Replace the cable.
Note how the rudder bolts, and safety wire are installed, and remove the rudder, clean the rudder port, and rudder shaft.
regrease with this stuff, from a Mercury Marine dealer.

[Mikeski]

Replace the cable, I recommend the 20' Teleflex Xtreme cable over the stock cable, it's better and cheaper.

[Zach@n3]

Mike, I believe the only cables available from Teleflex have the larger style rack gear. This will require a helm base change over. Even with paying for the helm change I were to sell you the current cable and that piece it saves you around 60-70 bucks over the stock style cable.

[charlesml3]

Replace the cable. In your first photo above, you can see the clamp holding the tube at the rudder-end of the cable. Do not loosen or remove those bolts. You just unscrew the cable from this tube. All you should need is a pair of fairly large channel-locks on the big nut at the end of the cable.

-Charles

[95skinautique]

I have the cable on order and just got the rudder out. The shaft is clean but what is the best way to clean inside the port?

[DanielC]

Put some paint thinner, or mineral spirits on a rag, and push the rag throught the rudder port. Follow witha dry rag.

[Westlotorn]

You might use a round wood dowel, maybe 3/4 in diameter and wrap that with the rag soaked in solvent. You need something to work the inside of the port. I just did mine, it was easy to clean up. I added a grease zerk to allow adding more grease later if needed.
I put my zerk about 1 inch below the threads for the rudder packing. My old grease in my 95 came out hard but it did come out and is really smooth now. I used marine axle grease not knowing any better, do you guys think this will be an issue? As of now it is smooth and perfect.

[95skinautique]

I just got mine all cleaned up and the guys at white lake said that marine bearing grease is what they used.

[Westlotorn]

Thanks, I was starting to think I messed up. Good luck with yours, they do steer much better with a greased rudder.