Sloppy Steering (video)

[Prospect]

I went to inspect the boat steering this morning to get an idea of what is needed to fix the sloppy steering. I bought the boat last year and there is play from the point I turn the wheel and there is a response in the rudders. I would say about 15 degrees before rudder engagement. I went below (near transom) to look at the mechanical linkages to see if there is play and there seems to be none. All the tubes below are connected with proper bolts and when I move them by hand they all move in unison. No new bushings required.

If you look at the video you can see that the wheel moves very freely with no engagement or resistance for the first 15 degrees. Then it the steering engages are rotates fairly easily.

Not sure where to start on this? This is a 2006 26M which I believe was close to the transition year for the steering system (Detmar to Teleflex). It does say "rack and pinion steering" on the wheel but I'm not sure which I have.

[pitchpolehobie]

Hi prospect. I have a 2002 26x. I had a similar issue as your....the wheel turned abour 10degrees then felt like it would grind and took a lot of force to move (like flaring up tennis elbow amount). After i tore itball apart i could tell the interior cable had corroded thru. I ended up replacing the whole system and now the rudders and and engine can be moved with 1 finger on the wheel.

Id go with whatever bwyachts.com kit that the rest of the forum members recommend for your 26m. Just from the look of your video i think the internal steering system was different than my 02 26x

This is the one I used w the upgraded cable. https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/5715-1v3.htm From your video i cant tell if its the same or not...would defer to other owners.

[Jimmyt]

I went to inspect the boat steering this morning to get an idea of what is needed to fix the sloppy steering. I bought the boat last year and there is play from the point I turn the wheel and there is a response in the rudders. I would say about 15 degrees before rudder engagement. I went below (near transom) to look at the mechanical linkages to see if there is play and there seems to be none. All the tubes below are connected with proper bolts and when I move them by hand they all move in unison. No new bushings required.

If you look at the video you can see that the wheel moves very freely with no engagement or resistance for the first 15 degrees. Then it the steering engages are rotates fairly easily.

Not sure where to start on this? This is a 2006 26M which I believe was close to the transition year for the steering system (Detmar to Teleflex). It does say "rack and pinion steering" on the wheel but I'm not sure which I have.

Did you have someone move the wheel while you were under the deck at the other end of the cable? Looks like about 1/4” of cable movement, or slop. The cable anchor, cable end, and linkage bolts need to be verified before I would have pulled the pedestal cover. Maybe you did it and just didn’t mention it. My steering had a good bit of play in it when I bought the boat. Several of the linkage bolts were loose. If the wheel is moved, and you don’t see any movement at the cable under deck, then steering gear is the issue.

[Prospect]

I went to inspect the boat steering this morning to get an idea of what is needed to fix the sloppy steering. I bought the boat last year and there is play from the point I turn the wheel and there is a response in the rudders. I would say about 15 degrees before rudder engagement. I went below (near transom) to look at the mechanical linkages to see if there is play and there seems to be none. All the tubes below are connected with proper bolts and when I move them by hand they all move in unison. No new bushings required.

If you look at the video you can see that the wheel moves very freely with no engagement or resistance for the first 15 degrees. Then it the steering engages are rotates fairly easily.

Not sure where to start on this? This is a 2006 26M which I believe was close to the transition year for the steering system (Detmar to Teleflex). It does say "rack and pinion steering" on the wheel but I'm not sure which I have.

Did you have someone move the wheel while you were under the deck at the other end of the cable? Looks like about 1/4” of cable movement, or slop. The cable anchor, cable end, and linkage bolts need to be verified before I would have pulled the pedestal cover. Maybe you did it and just didn’t mention it. My steering had a good bit of play in it when I bought the boat. Several of the linkage bolts were loose. If the wheel is moved, and you don’t see any movement at the cable under deck, then steering gear is the issue.

I didn't have anyone move the wheel to see for cable movement. That's a great idea and I'll have to try it asap. The bolts on the linkages are tight.

[Prospect]

Hi prospect. I have a 2002 26x. I had a similar issue as your....the wheel turned abour 10degrees then felt like it would grind and took a lot of force to move (like flaring up tennis elbow amount). After i tore itball apart i could tell the interior cable had corroded thru. I ended up replacing the whole system and now the rudders and and engine can be moved with 1 finger on the wheel.

Id go with whatever bwyachts.com kit that the rest of the forum members recommend for your 26m. Just from the look of your video i think the internal steering system was different than my 02 26x

This is the one I used w the upgraded cable. https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/5715-1v3.htm From your video i cant tell if its the same or not...would defer to other owners.

Thanks for the info. I'll reach out to Blue Water Yachts to see which part I need.

[OverEasy]

Hi Prospect!

Looks like a rack steering system.
From your video it looks like it could be excess gear backlash.
That could be a problem as if either the pinion gear or the rack gear teeth become too worn it could jam or in worst case strip out entirely.
There generally isn’t any adjustment on these type of systems.
Be interesting if you do replace it you could make a video afterwards disassembly the old one to show what the gear teeth look like.

Best Regards
Over a Easy

[pitchpolehobie]

Hi prospect. I have a 2002 26x. I had a similar issue as your....the wheel turned abour 10degrees then felt like it would grind and took a lot of force to move (like flaring up tennis elbow amount). After i tore itball apart i could tell the interior cable had corroded thru. I ended up replacing the whole system and now the rudders and and engine can be moved with 1 finger on the wheel.

Id go with whatever bwyachts.com kit that the rest of the forum members recommend for your 26m. Just from the look of your video i think the internal steering system was different than my 02 26x

This is the one I used w the upgraded cable. https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/5715-1v3.htm From your video i cant tell if its the same or not...would defer to other owners.

Thanks for the info. I'll reach out to Blue Water Yachts to see which part I need.

Id try and go thru the entire system of steering and make sure to rule out any of the other parts. I do think there is some variation from the 26M(more steering component in cabin?) Vs my 26X where all steering hardware is on the back deck and exposed. Todd at bwyachts.com is a wealth of info and might be worth having a phone convo to confirm your issue and replacement...tell them the forum sent you.

[Prospect]

Hi prospect. I have a 2002 26x. I had a similar issue as your....the wheel turned abour 10degrees then felt like it would grind and took a lot of force to move (like flaring up tennis elbow amount). After i tore itball apart i could tell the interior cable had corroded thru. I ended up replacing the whole system and now the rudders and and engine can be moved with 1 finger on the wheel.

Id go with whatever bwyachts.com kit that the rest of the forum members recommend for your 26m. Just from the look of your video i think the internal steering system was different than my 02 26x

This is the one I used w the upgraded cable. https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/5715-1v3.htm From your video i cant tell if its the same or not...would defer to other owners.

Thanks for the info. I'll reach out to Blue Water Yachts to see which part I need.

Id try and go thru the entire system of steering and make sure to rule out any of the other parts. I do think there is some variation from the 26M(more steering component in cabin?) Vs my 26X where all steering hardware is on the back deck and exposed. Todd at bwyachts.com is a wealth of info and might be worth having a phone convo to confirm your issue and replacement...tell them the forum sent you.

Thanks for the advice. I did call Todd and he was very knowlegable and helpful. Gave me 4 different areas to check before ordering the cable. He did confirm that the 2006 has the teleflex style cable. Apparently the change was around 2005.

1. Check the big nut at the end of the teleflex cable for looseness
2. rod end nuts
3. tiller arm - vertical rudder posts nuts
4. pivot bolt on the actual rudder mounting (also see if there is play between rudder and the rudder mountings)

[45Plus+]

Hi Prospect

I have a 2011 26M and the steering slop is incredible. I'd have to swing the wheel back and forth through about 30 degrees to try to maintain a steady track forward. However, even with active steering efforts, the bow continued to go back and forth much to the alarm of oncoming boats . I have purchased the upgraded steering cable from BWY and will install it this spring. I also noted that there is play where the rudders are mounted to the steering system on the transom and will try to soak that up with some old CDs acting as bushings to hold the rudders in a more stable way. If all of this does not fix the problem, I may try gluing a couple of skegs to the bottom of the boat - there are a number of threads in this forum about people doing that to help the boat track better. Good luck. Let us know how you make out with your efforts. Duncan

[Prospect]

Hi Prospect

I have a 2011 26M and the steering slop is incredible. I'd have to swing the wheel back and forth through about 30 degrees to try to maintain a steady track forward. However, even with active steering efforts, the bow continued to go back and forth much to the alarm of oncoming boats . I have purchased the upgraded steering cable from BWY and will install it this spring. I also noted that there is play where the rudders are mounted to the steering system on the transom and will try to soak that up with some old CDs acting as bushings to hold the rudders in a more stable way. If all of this does not fix the problem, I may try gluing a couple of skegs to the bottom of the boat - there are a number of threads in this forum about people doing that to help the boat track better. Good luck. Let us know how you make out with your efforts. Duncan

Hi 45Plus+,

Did you buy the upgrade cable and the rack and pinion helm assembly or just the cable? That's what I'm trying to figure out as to which to buy. I think I'll buy the cable only as the helm assembly is a sturdy unit which probably lasts a long time.

I went to the boat yesterday (finally a bit warm) and went through the entire steering system checking for play in the above mentioned areas. There was very little play. I'm now convinced it's the cable so I'll order the professional upgrade one from BWyachts. I too, will get some CD's in the rudder mounts but I think I'll use a big vice to try and slowly clamp the mounts back in shape so they don't splay out as much. I don't think it'll affect their structural integrity.

[45Plus+]

Hi there

Looking in the box, I have a cable, a 90 degree tube, and a connecting rod and a couple of fittings. So no rack and pinion - at least as far as I can see. I think I was hoping that the rack/pinion would be in good shape given the age of the boat and the relatively light use it seems to have received. Time will tell when I take things apart though I have to confess I am not looking forward to it given the relatively sketchy instructions and near useless accompanying photos that accompanied the parts. I think there are other threads that deal with the installation of new steering cables so I am hoping they fill in some of the gaps.

I will have to look carefully at the rack and pinion to ensure its not contributing to the slop. Duncan

[Prospect]

I received the teleflex steering cable from blue water yachts today. Unfortunately the instructions are generic and not specific to the 26M. I unhooked everything in the boat but I'm having a difficult time removing the cable and drive assembly. I can not pull it out of the pedestal. It's deep in there and there is not enough room to tilt and pull out. Any ideas? Again, instructions were useless.

Please see pic below.

[Tsatzsue]

I read in the forum that you are best to unbolt the pedestal box from the pipe and swing it out of the way or take it off. The poster said he had to disconnect the wires. I am hoping not to do that. I have to do mine over the next couple weekends myself. I have a 2005 M. I'll post my results.

[Prospect]

I read in the forum that you are best to unbolt the pedestal box from the pipe and swing it out of the way or take it off. The poster said he had to disconnect the wires. I am hoping not to do that. I have to do mine over the next couple weekends myself. I have a 2005 M. I'll post my results.

I was thinking I might have to do that but I didn't really want to.

[OverEasy]

Wants and Needs are always a challenge when there is 10# in a 5# box…