Jammed steering problem

[RonF]

I planned to use the boat today, but had to cancel due to the steering being jammed hard-over to starboard. The boat is a twin inboard with Teleflex cable steering to the rudder tillers. The last time I used the boat, I had to return and back into the skip on one engine. So, in the struggle I must have turned it all the way and then left it that way a few weeks ago. I normally keep the exposed portion of the control rod well lubed, so I am surprised that it got stuck in that position. The rod is now almost fully retracted into the sheath.

I tried to free it by using a block of wood as a lever against the tiller, and by pushing on one of the rudders from under the boat. It won't budge, and I am afraid to force the steering wheel.

Does anybody have a suggestion of what to try next?

 

[PlayDate]

Ron,
The first thing I would check, since you haven't used the boat in a few weeks, is the rudders themselves to make sure they are clear of debris. Next, I would disconnect the Teleflex cable at the steering wheel to make sure that gear is working properly. I doubt it is the cable itself.

You didn't mention why you were running on one engine.

-John

 

[RonF]

Ron,
The first thing I would check, since you haven't used the boat in a few weeks, is the rudders themselves to make sure they are clear of debris. Next, I would disconnect the Teleflex cable at the steering wheel to make sure that gear is working properly. I doubt it is the cable itself.

You didn't mention why you were running on one engine.

-John

Thanks. I went under the boat yesterday, and the rudders are clear. I stopped short of disconnecting anything on the spot, while my brain was scrambled. I guess that is the logical next step.

A few weeks ago I had to limp back to the slip on the stbd engine because the port engine quit at idle and would not restart. My mechanic fixed that with a new coil. and this was the first chance to use the boat again.

 

[PlayDate]

Hopefully, when you disconnect the cable at the steering wheel, you should be able to apply pressure to the rudder tiller and move the rudders/cable back to position. If it still doesn't move, let me know.

-John

 

[RonF]

Hopefully, when you disconnect the cable at the steering wheel, you should be able to apply pressure to the rudder tiller and move the rudders/cable back to position. If it still doesn't move, let me know.

-John

John,

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I have decided to have my mechanic do the disassembly, since he is due to be on the boat in a few days to replace a couple of oil lines. After describing the problem and my own troubleshooting, we are in agreement to disconnect the steering to isolate the cause. He has more tools and better intuitition, and he fits better than me behind the generator. I'll post the results.

 

[RonF]

The mechanic called me from the boat this afternoon. He disconnected the cable from the rudder tiller, and the rudders move freely. He disconnected the rack from the steering wheel, and the wheel turns freely. However, the cable is jammed in the sheath. So I told him to order and install a replacement Teleflex cable.

 

[Lake Erie Boater]

Not to sound accusatory (sp?), but did the mechanic possibly damage the cable when he was out replacing the coil? It just seems like quite the coincidence that your steering jammed following this repair. Is any of the cable exposed in the ER?? Just my .02

 

[Pirate]

Not to sound accusatory (sp?), but did the mechanic possibly damage the cable when he was out replacing the coil? It just seems like quite the coincidence that your steering jammed following this repair. Is any of the cable exposed in the ER?? Just my .02

Are you serious? C'mon.

 

[RonF]

Not to sound accusatory (sp?), but did the mechanic possibly damage the cable when he was out replacing the coil? It just seems like quite the coincidence that your steering jammed following this repair. Is any of the cable exposed in the ER?? Just my .02

I would not totally dismiss Randy's concern, because the last mechanic before this one was incompetent and a cheat. It has taken a long time build my confidence back up. I still like to "trust, but verify". The current guy is just super, this is about the fourth time I have used him in 1 1/2 years.

Now, back to Randy's question. The coil was on the port engine, and the steering cable runs behind the starboard engine and way down in the bilge to the transom. I really wracked my brain over this because I take such good care of the boat. About a day later, I realized that backing into the slip on just the starboard engine had required me to crank the wheel hard over to starboard and bump the stern over to port with a shot of throttle. Normally the rudders would be straight for docking. It might have been jammed right then, but I did not notice it until the next time on the boat.

 

[PlayDate]

Ron,

I was really hoping it wasn't the cable....that is an expensive repair. When he pulls it out, something has got to jammed in the end or the jacket on the cable was compromised. Please post what caused this.

-John

 

[RonF]

Re: Jammed steering problem - interim report

Shoot, Murphy is at it again.

First, the dealer sent my mechanic the wrong length Teleflex cable. Now he has the right size cable, so he starts the installation and hookup at the tiller arm. By the time he works up to the helm, it turns out that the rack does not mate to the pinion housing on the steering column. It turns out that Teleflex has made some design changes over the years. So now we also need a new tilt steering module. If nothing else goes wrong, I'll probably be able to keep the existing steering wheel.

 

[Lake Erie Boater]

Any sign of the cause of the jam???

 

[RonF]

Randy,

One day I had to come down the canal and back into my slip on just the starboard engine. I turned hard to stbd to bump the stern over to get lined up with the slip. Once secure, I did not straighten out the steering. Three weeks later, I could not turn the steering wheel.

 

[fc3]

Cables wear, corrode, and jam. Nature of the beast. Too bad you didn't have the mechanic install a hydraulic system instead. Hydraulic is a lot nicer and makes it easy to add an autopilot later, if you want. Most cable systems have a zerk fitting so the cable can be greased. Good thing to do annually. Grease the cable when it is in the retracted position.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[Lake Erie Boater]

Sorry RonF, you did say that previously. I did not know that cables would just "do that". Now I know. Hope the replacement wraps up quickly for you and Mr. Murphy takes a vacation.

 

[RonF]

Re: Jammed steering problem - FIXED

When we last left RonF, his mechanic had found that the replacement push-pull cable did not mate up with the steering gear behind the panel, because of a Teleflex design change.

I called Teleflex, and a competent & friendly technician referred me to an alternate cable/assembly part number that would work. He even recommended that I have my mechanic call him. Some time later my mechanic got the proper parts and his dealer took back the one that did not fit. The job is now completed.

So the wife and I went out for a ride Saturday, got caught in the rain, and a wiper motor died. BOAT!!!

 

[NorCal Boater]

But are you having fun?