Steering Cable Question 06' SANTE 210

[196Mike]

So I am afraid to ask this question after I have seen all the posts relating to steering cable replacements. The steering wheel turns very quickly - almost too easy. There is no play between the steering wheel and the rudder. To me, the steering should have some resistance. So here go my questions:

1) Should the steering be so easy that I can spin the wheel by turning the rudder by hand with lite pressure?

2) I took a look (see picture below) to see the routing of the cable and, it is above the PVC tube that glassed into the hull. Maybe it has been replaced; I do not know. Should it be in the tube or no? Many people have posted that they can't get the old cable out of the tube because the nut is too big that it makes me wonder how did Nautique install it in the tube with during assembly?

[196Mike]

Anyone have any recommendations about the steering cable - should it be run through the tub?

[jkallen21]

Have you had the boat in the water? If so, what is the steering like? I had a non-dealer replace my cable and the steering was way too easy. The boat would steer itself into a direct turn if you let go of the wheel. I suspect you will have issues as well.
To fix mine, I followed advice here to take a look at the helm. I took it to the dealer and they installed a no-feedback helm. It added good resistance to the steering and never moves from where I put it. But it isn’t hard to turn either.

[jkallen21]

And from what I have read, the cable should be inside the tube but as you pointed out, replacement cables are too tough and get routed outside of it. I haven’t heard of this being an issue though and I suspect this isn’t your issue either.

[Stevemo14]

I changed the cable on my 05 last year, and i ran it through the tube. I cut the cable off at the helm with a cutoff wheel, the taped the new cable to the old where I cut it. I used a ton of tape and it still broke, but after all the hard work was done. I had my buddy pulling on the old and me directing and pushing the new. We had to lift up the rear starboard corner of the tank about 4 inches to get the securing nut past the tank. then it was simple.

[charlesml3]

To answer your questions:

- Yes, you should be able to push the rudder by hand and the steering wheel should spin. Nothing wrong with that.

- The cable "should" be in the tube but it doesn't have to be. It really makes no difference in how it operates. Yes, it's a cleaner look but there's no way I'd ever pull that cable out and run it back through just to get it in that tube. As my grandfather used to say "the juice isn't worth the squeeze."

-Charles

[196Mike]

Thank you Charles - and I would agree with you in this case based on what I have read - The Juice isn't worth the Squeeze. My concern is how freely the steering wheel spins and when I take my hands off the wheel (Yes I know you should always keep your hands on the wheel) the wheel turns all the way to the stops in either direction - depending on the direction that I am going. Just doesn't feel right.

[jkallen21]

Mike - here is a quick show of what mine was doing prior to the no-feedback helm being installed.

https://youtu.be/u9Aennn9aqU

[196Mike]

Post edited to remove unnecessary quote. See Quote Guidelines here.

Yes - it does the same thing. Guess I need to look into the no-feedback helm.

Thanks.
Mike

[dkimball]

You should be able to adjust the tab on your rudder as well to help with the the wheel pulling to one side. I believe this is caused by the prop rotation which can be countered with the rudder tab

[jkallen21]

Post edited to remove unnecessary quote. See Quote Guidelines here.

I tried adjusting the rudder when mine was doing what’s shown in the video. The turn was so severe that it couldn’t correct it (i adjusted the rudder to the max). It did make a slight improvement but the problem was still noticeably unpleasant. Also, the no-feedback helm holds the path so true that rudder adjustments don’t even affect it.

[Destryg]

When I replaced my cable I was able to get the nuts free and go through the tube. I think it was a 1 1/8 for the nut. I was not able to get my old cable out of the boat due to the stupid zip ties everywhere and everything I would have to route it around. I left the old one in the boat positioned out of the way of everything. I even bought a rebar cutter to try to get enough of the old out, just leave the old one in there. I ended up replacing the helm as well.

when it comes to replacing the steering cable, pull the ballast. It’s **** near impossible if you don’t.