Throttle Upper/Lower Helms stiff

[northern]

I have upper and lower helms. The upper helm throttles work fine. The lower helm can not be moved off the stop (Pulled all the way back) position. Once the upper helm is pushed forward 800RPM the lower helm throttle works fine.
I can loosen the tension screws on the lower helm so it works fine form no RPM and up but it will not remain in position, it slides back and so does the upper helm. If I tighten the upper helm set screws after loosening the lower helm screws I can not push the lower helm forward.
I have lubricated all the cable exposed points and around the carburetors.
Any one have any idea how to correct the problem. We always start the boat from the upper helm as that is where the master switches are.

 

[ChrisJA]

I have a similar problem,, on my Sea Ray 304 DB 1987 Model. The lower helm throttle cables will not move the upper helm. I replaced the cables with new Seastar Solutions cable, but I still have the same problem. The lower helm still will not move even though I have attempted multiple adjustments. Does anyone in the Sea Ray Club who has attempted this previously.

Chris Adams

 

[sbw1]

Could this have something to do with safety?

 

[hughespat57]

First are they single lever controls (combine throttle and shift) or dual lever (separate throttle and shift)

There are two basic methods for dual station connections.
One just loops the cable from upper to lower station to engines. (common with dual lever)

The other each station goes to the engine room, then a differential device lets either station "work" (common on single lever stations)
Would look similar to this

 

[hughespat57]

Here are two ways the dual lever (single function per lever) can be run, again series is most common.
Neither of these need the deferential device.

In either of these both stations will must be free to move together.
If either is binding both stations will be "tight".
Typically you want to set friction on only one station, normally the lower as it has the shortest cables with the least slack.

 

[northern]

If you loosen both helms to the point they both work then they will not stay at the speed point you want.

 

[hughespat57]

“Typically you want to set friction on only one station, normally the lower as it has the shortest cables with the least slack.”

Dont slack off both frictions, slack off the top friction, set the lower just tight enough to hold

You haven’t noted what type of controls or cables you have...