Steering cable nightmare

[nelbird]

I was trying to install a new steering cable on my 89 SN and ended up geting the old cable stuck undernith the floor. I taped the new cable to the old one and was fishing it thru and it kept getting stuck. I went to pull it out to run it the other way and the new cable broke free. Now I cant get the old one to go back thru or come out it is wedged like a mofo. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to do.

Thanks,

Ken

[DanielC]

RE: Steering cable nightmare

If you have a Ford motor with the water pump at the front starboard area of the engine compartment, removing the water pump might give you enough room to reach up under the floor and move the cable. you might be able to feed a piece of hose through the area where the cable goes. I have used an old piece of 12/3 house wire to pull a steering cable through on a 1998 Ski Nautique. If the boat has a heater installed, pulling the heater hoses might give you enough room to free the steering cable, leave a string or wire to replace the heater hoses when the the steering cable is in place. You can also get a shorter fish tape at Home Depot.

[inboardsonly]

RE: Steering cable nightmare

Did you turn the cable so that the steering rod at the end is as short as possible? If the solid end is too long, it will not make the bend up and out.

When you started this, were all of the cable ties cut? There is usually one that some overzealous employee installed that seems to be right under the drivers seat.

Tie a strong cord to the end of the cable, (rudder end, if you can push it back to its original position, and then you can use it to guide the new one out.

Dont pull the cord too hard, or the cable end will extend and you wont make the bend.

I have also just cut the cables in the past to make it come out nice and easy.... you could also put some dish soap or something down the hole, to make it slide a little easier. Usually it is difficult because after the boat was built, a heater was added, and the hoses are on top of the steering cable.

I have felt your pain before!!!!

[workky]

RE: Steering cable nightmare

That happened to me as well on my 84,I unhooked the shift cable and zip tied the end to the steering cable and pulled it through,it was much easier to push the shift cable back through since its a little smaller