Steering cable life

[Liamfm]

Hi All,
1997 Sport - I'm on my 2nd cable in 6 years. First one lasted 150 hrs and 3 years. Second one is starting to get harder to steer. 150 hrs and 3 years also.

I'm curious if there are multiple manufacturers of this cable, or different types to try. I have the "newer" helm with a tilt wheel and the "rectangular" shaped end cap to the rack.

The last two cables were from NP, 90590. Customer service, as always, has been amazing. They warrantied the first failure. I don't anticipate the same on the 2nd. I'd just like to buy something that will last longer as I really hate the job of changing out the cable!

I've seen some reading on "sealed cables" primarily for salt water use I assume? Is that an option?

My boat is used in fresh water, covered, on a covered lift. And garage kept with a cover in the winter. It does take the occasional surf wave over the bow (1-2x per year), but I wouldn't say it ever sits with water in the bilge, or nothing significant for sure. (I only have a drain by the engine, and my lift sits a bit "stern heavy" so it isn't level enough to drain when on the lift).

Thanks in advance! If I'm stuck doing it every 2-3 years, so be it. Just not how I want to spend my time if I can help it.

[charlesml3]

First thing to do: Let's find out if it's really the cable. When you have time, get out there and disconnect the cable from the tiller arm on the rudder. Now test the steering. If the steering wheel is still stiff, it's the cable. If it's smooth and free, it's the rudder.

In that case, most likely the stuffing box just needs grease. It's unlikely you're going to go through a cable in 3 years. My first cable lasted 15 years.

-Charles

[Liamfm]

Quote removed by Admin for not following the Guidelines for Quoting Previous Posts in a Thread.



Thanks - I’ve done this. Rudder is free and moves easily. Pulled the cable off the tiller this weekend, then pulled the cable off at the pinion gear too, just to make sure it wasn’t something in the steering column.

now back to the original question - is there only one MFG of these cables?

Thanks!

[charlesml3]

Only one that I know of. I only buy from NautiqueParts.com. I really can't understand why you're getting such little life out of a cable.

-Charles

[NautiqueJeff]

The ones they are selling now are the Teleflex Xtreme cables. Those should be better than the originals.

The current version is part of the Extreme line of TF Cables and should provide improved performance and life.

This is the manufacturer's website:
https://www.dometic.com/en-us/outdoo...gaAgkSEALw_wcB

[Scooter G]

That does seem an unusual life span, and those buggers aren't cheap.
Not sure what it's worth, but I added a grease zerk to the rudder side of the cable when I replaced the Supra arm work out one. It was still smooth as butter when we sold it 10 years later. Seemed to me, the engine compartment is the main source of exposure to the elements.

[gary s]

I have had one go bad in as little as 2 years. 3 out of the 5 I have replaced were due to the the lubricant used in them gumming up- the other 2 were sheath damage. For what ever the reason the older ones have outlasted the newer, I think they have changed whatever lubricant they used to use. The one that went bad in 2 years was stored over 2 summers in a Florida Keys car port, it's lube was all dried out. Might want to change out the rubber / felt seal on the support tube end by the rudder while your doing all this as well. It's Seastar part number SA37868P, Nautique Parts should be able to order and will help keep out any water in case the old one is worn.

[Rednucleus]

You could try unhooking the rudder end, suspend in the air and add some ATF; it can run down into the cable sheath and get things moving pretty good again.

[NautiqueTim]

I have always exercised my steering back and forth several times duriing the winter. I guess it works. Replaced the original cable on my 66 Mustang around 2005. My 01 Air Nautique still has the original cable.

[Rusty Barras]

I had switched to hydraulic right when i got my 2001 SAN. Never had an issue, but i should have stuck with the tilt helm.

https://www.planetnautique.com/vb5/f...820#post504820