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Stuck steering cable, advice to loosen.

H

hendedo

New member
I have a 1988 3cyl 90hp Mariner. Cable appears to be stuck on port side. (My single cable comes in on the starboard side.) Been sprayed with P.B. Blaster letting it soak for now. Motor turns freely when rod is disconnected, So I think the cable is siezed in the steering trim tube on port side. Any tips, ideas, hints, anything would be great. :confused:
Thanks very much!
 
Thanks for the replys! Problem is it is still stuck in the tube. We loosened the starboard side and the sheathing will slide and the wheel turns then. But the part coming out the port side will not budge.
Steering worked fine but boat has been sitting about 6 months. Now, nothing.
Any ideas how much a replacment cable goes for? 19' Carolina Skiff is what it is mounted to.
We really appreciate the responses and keep them coming. Thanks again.
 
Chris is right...get the entire steering assy.; much easier to fit all new than to retrofit new to old. You need to measure the length of the existing cable to get the right fit assuming it fits right now.
 
You may need to warm the tilt tube with a propane tourch or heat gun to get this out. You will also need some different length 3/8 extentions and a hammer to tap the old cable out once you heat it.
 
Thanks, we may try some heat tomorrow. We have been soaking with PB Blaster all day and nothing. ugh. I will try the extensions as well.
Any more ideas are welcome and I will post our results. Hopefully we can save the cable so we can use the boat but if it looks 'ify' we will replace.
It amazing this thing froze. We were constant woth all the grease fittings. Is it better to use a light oil instead / combined with the grease on the ends?
 
FYI, Do not heat this too much. You just want to warm it up. You do not want to damage the tilt tube bushings.

Carefull when tapping the cable through the tilt tube. Don't peen the end of the cable and jam it inside the tilt tube.
 
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