MacGregorSailors.com

No, older X's can't use a rack.
The older X's had a shorter pedestal with a rotary cable drive inside. To use the rack & pinion Roger had to raise the top of the pedestal.

If you replace the Detmar rack with a Teleflex rack the Teleflex helm needs a bigger hole AND the center of the bigger hole must be LOWER than the center of the old hole or the rack will not fit inside the pedestal. If you make the TOP of the new hole even with the TOP of the old hole it should be ok as it worked for me.

It is usually the cable that goes bad while the rotary or rack is ok. Try just changing the cable if you have an older Mac.

The steering on the M is a compleat system. Rack connected to a cable and sleeve, A pinion and housing. I replaced it two month ago after breaking a tooth. The factory replaced the whole thing, contrary to some EXPERTS on this board that insisted that they would not. Comes to learn ya, just because they say it it ain't nesessarily so.

Hello,

I have been considering hydraulic, so this thread caught my eye. It has appeared other times. As I recall the Uflex system has been mentioned favorably. My research over the last few days indicates that Uflex, although less well known then Teleflex., is at least as good, and perhaps superior. Since steering is a weakness, on at least the older Macs. How about some feedback from those who have experience with Uflex steering systems??

Russ

I installed a Uflex Rotary helm unit and cables 4 years ago on my '96 X Cacafuego. The original cables were stiff, almost frozen. Absolutely no trouble since. Great system, from my experience.

Ferd