I recently picked up a 1987 Sportfire with a 135 Mercury o/b. The steering is extremely tight. I was given a new cable from the previous owner and told it is 'the old rack style' rather than the gears ? I'm semi-mechanical, but no pro. What kind of time and difficulty might I be looking at to correct the tight steering? Anything specific to be careful of or watch out for? I appreciate the help.
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'87 Sportfire Steering
- Thread starter JQblue
- Start date
Mark
Well-known member
It's not too bad a job but you have to unbolt the motor from the transom in order to get the cable out. You will need to lift the motor on a hoist (even a come-a-long from a tree branch will work).
Nothing wrong with a rack and pinion sterering system.
Make sure you seal the transom holes very well with 3M 4200 or similar when you bolt the motor back on.
Allow 2 hours.
Nothing wrong with a rack and pinion sterering system.
Make sure you seal the transom holes very well with 3M 4200 or similar when you bolt the motor back on.
Allow 2 hours.
Unbolt motor for steering cable change?
I appreciate the advice but, unbolting the motor from the transom? I haven't heard about that before. The boat's under cover right now so I don't have a great visual but, I thought the cable and rods are all accessible low and in front of the engine.
I am also curious about how to 'fish' the cable into/out-of the old housing or if the cable & housing are one assembly that needs to be installed and routed in place of the old one?
I appreciate the advice but, unbolting the motor from the transom? I haven't heard about that before. The boat's under cover right now so I don't have a great visual but, I thought the cable and rods are all accessible low and in front of the engine.
I am also curious about how to 'fish' the cable into/out-of the old housing or if the cable & housing are one assembly that needs to be installed and routed in place of the old one?
Mark
Well-known member
Right, you can't change the cable inside only but the whole thing. You have no choice on that boat, the motor has to be loosened to get the cable out of the motor bracket. It has a big nut holding it on one side and a cotter in on the other. Then undo it at the helm and pull it out through the splashwell boot.