If you're from the water plus suddenly your steering wheel seems like it's stuck in wet cement, you're likely searching for a brand-new teleflex 17 steering cable to get things moving once again. It's one of those parts you don't consider till it fails, yet once it will, your own weekend around the lake is pretty significantly on hold. There's nothing quite simply because frustrating as a boat that won't turn, especially whenever the weather is perfect and the seafood are biting.
Mechanical steering systems are remarkably easy, which explains why they've already been the conventional for smaller powerboats for years. But "simple" doesn't mean "invincible. " Over time, dampness, salt, and older grease turn the inside of that cable in to a sticky mess. If you've reached the stage where you're putting both of your hands on the particular wheel in order to create a slight turn, it's time in order to stop fighting this and swap the particular cable out.
Why the 17-Foot Length Matters
Whenever we talk about a teleflex 17 steering cable , the particular "17" describes the length of the cable in feet. In the world of boat parts, precision is everything. You might think, "Oh, I can just cycle an extra foot of cable under the gunwale, " but it doesn't really work this way. Mechanical wires have a specific quantity of travel plus a specific radius they can manage. When the cable is too long, a person end up along with extra bends that will create friction, making your steering sense sluggish even with a brand-new part. When it's too short, nicely, you aren't achieving the engine.
Most Teleflex wires (now often top quality under the Dometic name) have the particular part number and duration stamped right on the plastic coat. It's usually a number of letters followed simply by the length. If you see something like "SSC13117, " that 17 at the end is the confirmation. When the printing provides rubbed off—which happens a lot within the humid environment of a boat bilge—you'll have to do some manual testing.
How to Tell if Your own Cable is In fact Shot
Occasionally people think their particular steering helm (the gear part behind the wheel) will be broken when it's actually just the cable. A quick method to test this is usually to disconnect the particular cable at the engine or maybe the outdrive. Once it's unhooked from the tiller arm, try turning the wheel. When the wheel spins openly and the cable slides in plus out easily, your trouble might be the particular swivel bracket on your engine becoming seized up.
However, nine occasions out of 10, the teleflex 17 steering cable is the reason. The inner primary of those cables is definitely a tightly twisted wire that slides inside a plastic-lined outer jacket. Even a tiny crack in this jacket allows water to seep within. Once rust begins forming inside, it's a downward spiral. No amount of WD-40 or marine oil is going to "fix" a cable that offers started to corrode internally. You might get another week out of it, but it'll ultimately snap or seize completely, usually with the worst achievable moment.
Obtaining the Right Measurement
If you can't find the part number on your old cable, don't guess. Measuring a steering cable is a bit different than measuring some rope. A person aren't measuring the total tip-to-tip size of the steel bits. Instead, the particular industry standard will be to measure the black plastic coat then add the specific amount of duration (usually 18 in order to 30 inches based on the specific cable series) in order to are the cause of the throw.
For the standard teleflex 17 steering cable , you're looking for that will sweet spot which allows for a soft run from the helm, down the aspect of the hull, and into the engine well without having any sharp kinks. If your motorboat originally came along with a 17-foot cable, stick with it. Manufacturers spend a lot of time calculating the precise run to ensure the least quantity of opposition.
The Joy (and Mess) of Installation
Changing a steering cable is a work most DIY boaters can handle, yet I won't lie to you—it can be a bit of an oily headache. The initial step is obtaining the old a single out. This usually involves diving beneath the dash, unbolting the cable from the helm, and after that pulling it via the boat's rigging tube.
Here's a pro suggestion: before you pull the old teleflex 17 steering cable out, tie a sturdy "pull string" or a bit of paracord to the end of it. Since you pull the old cable out there, the string will be threaded through the hull. When this comes time to put the new cable in, you simply tie it to the string plus pull it back through. This will save you from the nightmare of seeking to perch a stiff cable through a darkish, cramped hull filled with wires and hoses.
Once the new cable is routed, you'll want to hook it back up to the helm. Many Teleflex helms make use of a "Quick Connect" system. It's exactly what it sounds like—the cable snaps into location with a hitch pin. It's significantly easier than the older threaded nut design, though you'll nevertheless find those on older boats.
Maintenance to Make It Final
Since you're spending the money plus the afternoon setting up a new teleflex 17 steering cable , you most likely want this to last even more than a couple of seasons. The number one killer of steering cables isn't use; it's neglect during the particular off-season.
The most vulnerable part of the cable is the particular stainless-steel rod that will sticks out at the particular engine end. This rod moves back again and forth every single time you switch the wheel. In the event that you leave your own boat sitting for six months with the engine tilted up and the steering rod exposed to the particular air, it's likely to build up a layer of oxidation or salt crust. Then, the 1st time you turn the wheel within the spring, you pull all that rubbish in to the cable's close off, ruining it.
The fix is usually simple: keep that will output rod clear and lightly greased. Also, try to store your boat using the engine switched in a means that keeps the steering rod retracted directly into the cable housing as much as possible. This safeguards the polished surface from the elements.
Mechanical versus. Hydraulic: Is the Cable Enough?
Sometimes people wonder if they should ditch the teleflex 17 steering cable entirely plus upgrade to hydraulic steering. If a person have an enormous 250hp outboard, hydraulic is definitely the way in order to go. But with regard to smaller boats, runabouts, and older pontoons, a mechanical cable strategy is perfectly fine. It's lighter, cheaper, and honestly easier to fix in the event that something goes incorrect in the middle of nowhere.
The mechanical suggestions of a cable system actually gives you a much better "feel" for the way the vessel is reacting to the water. It's direct and reliable. As long since you don't allow it to rust into a solid rod of iron, a high quality Teleflex cable will certainly give you yrs of smooth operation.
Final Thoughts on the Swap
Don't be intimidated by the project. Purchasing a teleflex 17 steering cable is a standard part of boat ownership for many. It's one of individuals maintenance items, such as changing the impeller or the lower unit gear lubricant. It might take you a several hours and you'll definitely end up with some fat on your clothing, but the first time you receive back again on the water and can guide with one ring finger, you'll realize this was worth every bit of energy.
Just remember to double-check your measurements, use a pull string throughout the swap, plus don't forget in order to grease the connection points. A little bit of prepare work goes a long way in ensuring your ship stays responsive in addition to safe for everyone upon board. Happy sailing, and hopefully, the next turn is the smooth one.