Stiff Steering Cables

Dan Cowett · Post by **Dan Cowett** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 2:31 pm

Hey Folks
Long time no see. I have a question about lubricating my steering cables. I have a 2000 26x and the steering is getting stiff can you help me out with the best method of lubing them up?
Thanks.
Dan.

Jack O'Brien · Post by **Jack O'Brien** » Sat Jan 15, 2005 2:47 pm

Hey Dan, fuhgedabodit!

One cable, not two.

I have a 2000 X. The Detmar cable slowly froze to where I could barely turn the wheel. It is sealed at both ends - there is NO WAY to lubricate inside it. Also, the rod at the motor end is not stainless and will rust and bind. Try cleaning and lubeing that by removing the outer tube. That helped for a while for me but not long.

I replaced the whole mess with Teleflex helm, rack, pinion and 10-ft cable. 9-ft will work. Detmar was 8-ft. If you replace the rack it will need a bigger hole for the helm and the hole MUST BE LOWER than the existing hole or the rack will not fit inside the pedestal.

Sloop John B · Post by **Sloop John B** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 8:48 am

I second Jack's recommendation, and did the same thing. When you remove the Detmar, you'll have a 'golf' ball size hole. You'll need a 'softball' size hole to install the Teleflex. The dimensions are in the instructions. Buy the hole cutter for the correct size from Lowes/Home Depot and position the saw just a nick below the top of the existing hole. With this, the new rack just fits and the wheel will be a little lower. The ten footer, same price, worked very well.

My Detmar was freezing up from mainly sitting in the back yard. You can keep it as an emergency spare.

waternwaves · Post by **waternwaves** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 10:12 am

John, did you make a bezel or plug to go with the Detmar if you ever put it back in as a spare??

sailpsych · Post by **sailpsych** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 10:29 am

I'm in a similar "bind." (sorry couldn't resist the pun). My steering has gotten VERY difficult to work with. How much are we talking about with regard to replacing the cables and steering?

Thanks for the assist.

Bruce

Dan Cowett · Post by **Dan Cowett** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 10:35 am

Thanks for the info guys!
Does the Teleflex system peform better and if so how much better. How well is it holding up, is it seviceabe - can the system be lubricated?
If you had it to do over again would you have tried somthing different?
You have my thanks in advance.
This board is Awsome!
Dan.

Sloop John B · Post by **Sloop John B** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 12:04 pm

Darren, no, didn't think about the plug. It would just wobble in the big hole like the top of a big ugly snake until I found safe harbor. I don't haul it around with me. I'd have to rig up a boat pole/tiller to get back.

I think the teleflex was a little over a couple hundred dollars. Very superior fron just looking at the hardware, and works very well. These are short term observations. Couple years from now might be different.

Jack O'Brien · Post by **Jack O'Brien** » Sun Jan 16, 2005 12:52 pm

https://www.surplusunlimited.com/steeri ... stems.html

Here's the best place to buy. You want the 9 or 10-foot SS-141 Rack Steering Kit $120. + S&H

Steering is one finger with the Teleflex.

Rolf · Post by **Rolf** » Sat Jan 22, 2005 11:27 pm

The teleflex steering is one of the best things you can buy. Steering will go from "sandpaper grit" to "butter smooth". My old Detmar still worked, but I still wish I would have changed it earlier.
R

wscottno · Post by **wscottno** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 3:15 pm

Will the stock Mac wheel fit on the Teleflex setup? Also noticed the reference to 9' or 10' cable length. Any preference or criteria for the selection of one length versus the other? This is with reference to a 2000 26X. Thanks.

Sloop John B · Post by **Sloop John B** » Wed Jan 26, 2005 8:38 pm

Stock wheel fits fine. I'm thinking about a 18" replacement or so, but the old one fits okay.

I'd go with the 10 footer cable like I did. I suppose the nine would do, like all the other guys that got the 10 footers think. I don't think there were any 'savings' on getting the shorter one.

wscottno · Post by **wscottno** » Thu Jan 27, 2005 6:08 pm

Thank you, John.

ericorville · Post by **ericorville** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 5:50 am

I had the same problem on my 02 X and I was able to free it up .The trick seemed to be to remove it and suspend it vertically
from one end.
I applied a multi purpose spray lubricant to the upper end of the cable core.After a few days I inverted it and continued to apply lubricant.It freed up completly and that was a year ago. I sail in fresh water.
Eric

KaiSchuler · Post by **KaiSchuler** » Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:28 pm

These posts only referenced the alternative steering (cable, rack, ...) for a 26X. Is this solutions also applicable for the 26 M, and if so: has anyone ever done that? Sounds like this could be a nice upgrade if the steering really becomes so much easier.

LCB · Post by **LCB** » Tue Feb 01, 2005 4:52 pm

Hello,

Will the rack fit into the older Mac's???

Russ

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

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