SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => Jet Pumps => Topic started by: BIG JOHNSON on December 28, 2013, 09:52:08 AM

Title: Steering Cable
Post by: BIG JOHNSON on December 28, 2013, 09:52:08 AM
Who else is sick of spending $150 on a new cable and rack and having it turn to shit in a year?  :mad:

I put the new cable on with the big grease nut o ring and zerk fitting and greased the hell out of it to keep the water out. Well, sometimes my boat sits in the water overnight if I get back to the marina too late for the forklift to bunk it, water seeps in and then it can't get out. I'm half ass tempted to look at a hydraulic setup since teleflex only makes galvanized cables and not stainless. How often are you buying cables?
Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: BIG JOHNSON on December 28, 2013, 10:13:15 AM
When the cable is new, it's awesome. The cure would be to put an extension on the tiller with some sort of rope seal going through the transom bezel and using a cable about three feet shorter and daisy chaining the two together in the engine compartment so water isn't getting inside the cable housing. I can picture it in my weak mind with some sort of bracketry and guides bolted to intake manifold. I need someone smart to tell me a simpler way.
Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: GT Jets on December 28, 2013, 10:15:21 AM
I haven't changed a cable on a jet in ten years.

I will get you the fix when I get home.

GT

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I927 using SoCalJetBoats mobile app

Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: GT Jets on December 28, 2013, 12:03:35 PM
When you order the new cable kit, also order Teleflex part number SA 39329.

[attachimg=1]

This is a tilt tube cable seal for an outboard, it will screw directly to the end of the steering tube on the outside of the TA.

Do not grease the hell out of the cable before using the boat, this will actually draw water in as the cable moves in/out by creating a suction when the tube moves back and forth.

Best case scenario is to grease the cable slightly after use. But I don't like the grease fitting at the rear, but at the helm.

Use a lithium based grease on the tube end but very little. This should be disconnected and cleaned at least once a season.

Hope this helps...

GT

Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: BIG JOHNSON on December 28, 2013, 12:52:36 PM
Is your steering cable below the water line when moored?
Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: GT Jets on December 28, 2013, 12:56:23 PM
Is your steering cable below the water line when moored?

Mine is at the water line. As are the three that we have in the family.

If yours is below the water line like on a Berkeley JE or JF then it should be bellowed. They virtually never fail. My buds Saber Jet with a E has the original cable from 1982...

GT
Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: BIG JOHNSON on December 28, 2013, 12:59:54 PM
Mine is well below water line. I'll look around and see if I can find bellows for that. Somethings gotta change, I can't spend $18/month on steering cables for the life of the boat.
Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: GT Jets on December 28, 2013, 01:03:16 PM
http://www.berkeleyjet.com/p-542-cable-bellows.aspx (http://www.berkeleyjet.com/p-542-cable-bellows.aspx)

Still shouldn't need it...

The seal works quite well.   ;)
Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: ka0tyk on December 28, 2013, 01:03:59 PM
Mine is well below water line. I'll look around and see if I can find bellows for that. Somethings gotta change, I can't spend $18/month on steering cables for the life of the boat.

Get rid of the jet and go I/o...
Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: GT Jets on December 28, 2013, 01:04:57 PM
Get rid of the jet and go I/o...



BLASPHEMY!!!!!  >:(
Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: BIG JOHNSON on December 28, 2013, 01:09:45 PM
http://www.berkeleyjet.com/p-542-cable-bellows.aspx

Like so.

Would have to get creative sealing the threads, water sucks like that especially when it has 14 hours+ overnight to find its way in.
Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: BIG JOHNSON on December 28, 2013, 01:13:46 PM
Get rid of the jet and go I/o...

I'd rather spin the motor around add a trans and patch a few holes.
Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: ka0tyk on December 28, 2013, 05:26:41 PM
I'd rather spin the motor around add a trans and patch a few holes.

Now you're talkin...
Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: jyeager on December 28, 2013, 05:30:04 PM
I haven't changed a cable on a jet in ten years.

I will get you the fix when I get home.

GT

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I927 using SoCalJetBoats mobile app

Yup 5 years on one. Maybe a calgo set up mite be better in this situation? what do you think GT?
Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: GT Jets on December 28, 2013, 05:34:24 PM
Yup 5 years on one. Maybe a calgo set up mite be better in this situation? what do you think GT?

For the cost of a Calgo, not sure there is much of a benefit. I dig em, I have had one, but they are quite maintenance heavy IMHO.

If BIG JOHNSON just buys the little plastic POS seal, I am certain the life span of the cable will triple at minimum.

Also, the addition if grease causes more problems than it cures...

GT
Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: BIG JOHNSON on December 28, 2013, 05:59:24 PM
Also, the addition if grease causes more problems than it cures...

GT

Yeah, I keep a grease gun in a plastic tub next to my toolbox in the boat for the pump bearing. That grease is far too thick for lubing a cable.

My cable may still be good if I run some lacquer thinner through it and just keep it dry. I'm interested in putting a stretchy boot on it after I get a new cable or fix the one I got. Everyone says once it gets stiff just replace..

Since the last couple feet of my cake and housing is a few inches below water line, I'd have to make sure the threads are sealed up tighter than Miley Cirus was a few years ago.
Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: BIG JOHNSON on December 28, 2013, 06:11:50 PM
FWIW, this is the one I currently have on.
Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: beerjet on January 11, 2014, 04:16:31 PM
FWIW, this is the one I currently have on.

Jimmy Buffett.....

-beerjet-

Title: Re: Steering Cable
Post by: uncleBOBBY on January 11, 2014, 04:23:04 PM

Jimmy Buffett.....

-beerjet-
lol Omar
Your funny


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