steering cable play

flooky · 10 August 2009, 18:12

Hi, i was checking my steering rod connection today and noticed that the end of the cable (where the bolt goes through) has a bit of play in it.
not play at the hole, but where the end with the hole in, goes into the cable, it looks like its crimped at the factory (machine marks) does it need play? is this normal.
does it matter? looks like it cant come out, but well...you know.
cheers in advance.
Flooky

flooky · 12 August 2009, 17:34

its ok i crashed now!
no really any body?

Poly · 12 August 2009, 18:45

flooky,

I'm not sure I understand. I am assuming you have standard teleflex type cable steering?

I'm not in front of my engine right now - so perhaps its just my memory but:

Cable goes into large nut at one end (stbd side) of the tilt tube, metal rod comes out the other end of tilt tube (it is connected to the inner of the cable) this then has a "loose" bolt through it which connects an "arm" to the front of the engine.

Do you mean that there is play where the cable goes into the large nut on the starboard side of the tilt tube? And what do you mean by "play". Perhaps you could post pictures to show the extremes of movement you can get?

flooky · 13 August 2009, 08:59

yeah, i will try a photo if i can find the camera.
the end of the cable is a hole,that end is crimped into the main stainless tube.
the play is there. about 2mm in and out, i think the play is ok but, well i dont want to do it in the middle of this fantastic summer!!!
thanks for the reply.
i have a bit of wood on board now with holes in, to bolt on to the engine as a tiller just incase.

Poly · 13 August 2009, 10:27

Ah - I understand now. I have in my mind that this is one piece/welded on mine but I may be wrong and the boat is 15 miles away. I certainly wasn't aware of any play.

jwalker · 13 August 2009, 11:58

The end should be dead tight where it is crimped into the tube.

flooky · 14 August 2009, 08:11

thanks folks, i wasnt sure if it needed play, to twist or to absorb the vibration.
new cable i think.
ta again..looks like a drama to do, ive read all the threads..oh well

9D280 · 14 August 2009, 09:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by flooky

ooks like a drama to do, ive read all the threads..oh well

Not necessarily. I may have been lucky, but more often than not I've managed to get them out with minimal hassle and a simple pull. You have the advantage that once you have released the big nut (starboard side) , if the cable is scrap, if you wind it fully "in", you can apply a big hammer to the other end (Port side) to persuade it.

Another tip is if you have an A-frame - unbolt the engine & slide it along the transom to port it means the sterering cable has more free space to come out into. Not sure the details of the Valiant toobs, but the Humber ones are higher than the level of the cable - a quick deflation will also make it easier to get it out (& the new one in).

Good luck!

flooky · 15 August 2009, 07:15

Cool thanks,
I was in orkney boats yesterday, dreaming, and there was a boat being built and i jiggled the new cable end, and it moved too, so i am gonna leave it til the winter. (tomorrow by the look of it!)
so if you see a valiant rib in the littlehampton area going round and round in circles..give me a wave..
Flooky