Steering system failure

[Dan Cowett]

I have a 2000 26X. I need to purchase some parts that have failed on the steering system. Where the push rod comes through the transom and attaches to the mechanism that steers the engine and rudders a stop nut that was screwed on the stainless steel outer sleeve (inside rubber boot cover) of the rod has corroded and broken ie. no steerage. It also appears that the inner rod (that actually pushes and pulls the assembly) is corroded as well. Any ideas on what parts I need to get and where to get it would be of much help.
It appears the stop nut was made of some type of alloy, attached to stainless steel. Inner rod appears to be of mild steel rusted. Bad choice of mixing metals. Im just glad it broke near the dock in light winds. The next thing on my to do list will be an emergency tiller.
Thanks.
Dan.

[Catigale]

Dan - Ive disconnected the motor from the linkage, and lashed a boathook to my Mercury BF 50 HP EFI - works pretty well as backup tiller.

[Rich Plumb]

Dan, the same thing happened to my 2000 26X last year. That pot metal or aluminum sleeve that screws on there corroded away. That seems to be a design flaw in the steering cable assembly. I used a pair of Vice Grip pliers as a jury rig in order to get me home. I then ordered a replacement steering cable from Blue Water Yachts. The replacement was straight forward and fairly easy.

Rich Plumb, Plumb Crazy
26X, Covington WA

[Jack O'Brien]

My 2000 X did not have the nut go bad but the mild steel push rod and the cable itself froze. This was the Detmar system installed by MacGregor or their dealer.

Most of us have switched to a teleflex helm, rack & cable which is a major improvement. Here is the best place to buy:
https://www.surplusunlimited.com/Mercha ... de=2200-60

You want the 9 or 10-foot cable. The Detmar was 8-feet.

The hole for the new helm must be partly LOWER than the old hole. Check the archives for much on this.

[Dan Cowett]

Thanks for the responses. I'll get to work on it right away.
Thanks again! I love this list.
Dan.