Un-siezing NFB steering...

[9D280]

It's happened again. Life has got in the way of a good time and although the battery has been kept alive by a smart charger, the steering has seized.

So, I have detached the helm end so that my "feedback" doesn't destroy the helm or, as I think happened last time, the cable.

I am right in thinking the helm is the. "NFB" bit of the system?

Just checking before I attack the engine end with a modified ratchet strap and / or small hydraulic jack....

[gpsguru]

A common problem is dried grease in the engine steering tube which can also make the cable difficult to remove. A little heat from a blow lamp or hairdryer is your best friend. Once apart, then clean up and regrease .

Yes the helm unit is NFB (no feed back).

[beamishken]

Buy a new cable its siezed because of corrosion if you free it off the corrosion is likely to cause it to snap
Your life may depend on the steering, for the sake of less than £100 quid is it worth taking a chance on?

[breezeblock]

disconnect it from the engine and that will tell you if the cable is seized alternatively strip the lot off and toss it in the bin and fit hydraulic. steering cables really are the worst arrangement ever

[pagick]

Originally Posted by beamishken

Buy a new cable its siezed because of corrosion if you free it off the corrosion is likely to cause it to snap
Your life may depend on the steering, for the sake of less than £100 quid is it worth taking a chance on?

I have found that once this starts happening sometimes you can free it up but expect to have it happen every time it sits a long time.
The items that could be the cause.
1- cable
2 - inside tilt tube
3 - steering tube. This one is the worst option.
With all these replacing the problem is the best fix.
Over the years I repaired all 3 of these. And tilt tube is the easiest and cheapest
Dis connect all connections and see what is stiff.

[beamishken]

Originally Posted by breezeblock

disconnect it from the engine and that will tell you if the cable is seized alternatively strip the lot off and toss it in the bin and fit hydraulic. steering cables really are the worst arrangement ever

Thats fine apart from the fact hydraulic is about 5x the cost of a cable quite involved to fit and not without its own problems with leaking seals air ingress and pitted rams. I just replaced the cable in my 630hp inboard hard boat at 12 years old if i have to change another in another 12 years then I can live with that. I couldn't possibly recoup the cost of hydraulic steering as long as I live.
Great idea but replacing with hydraulic is only cost effective with some pretty clever man maths