Ultraflex steering problems

[Member Removed]

I wonder if anyone can advise I have an outboard engine fitted with an ultraflex cable steering system. The splashwell section terminates in a stainless steel arm fitted to the engine. I keep this lubricated with waterproof grease but recently each time I use the boat it is seized and I have to disconnect the stainless steel arm from the engine and put an adjustable on the end and onto the large nut on the cable - far from an ideal start to a day's fishing each time!

 

I have cleaned and relubricated the stainless steel arm to no avail, should I be lubricating the cable further up towards the steering wheel?

 

Many thanks Hunter

[Coddy]

Hi Hunter

 

The best thing to do is to remove the inner cable completley and grease it up as you put it back in the outer cable.

 

I have read somewhere that you can buy/make (?) a grease nipple on the large nut so all you need to do is pump a few strokes of grease every now and then.

 

Dave

[fisherman1055]

Hi Hunter

 

I had a cable steering on my previous boat which worked well until it seemed to start seizing

 

i tried lubricating it from both ends but with little effect.

 

Eventually the thing broke when I was trying to pull my anchor about 6 miles out.

 

I suggest you consider replacing it now incase it is on its last legs.

 

Best wishes

 

Tony

[Bob F]

I agree with Tony. Once they start to seize it's time to renew the cable.

 

Mine only lasted 3 years on a brand new boat. It snapped 10 miles out at sea, making an interesting trip back.

 

BF

[Freddie]

The cable gets compacted with salt even if you wash it all down v well and grease it. The only way is to replace the whole cable every few years. (about 10 in my case) My cable costs me about

[Member Removed]

Gents

 

Many thanks for your helpful advice. Sounds like I need to replace it now.

 

Regards

 

Hunter

[Member Removed]

Sorry posted twice

Edited February 18, 2010 by SeanP

[Member Removed]

This is the greasing nut Dave mentioned Here

I can highly reccomend it as the sealing nut on the e-tech is rubbish and that's where the water gets sucked in to start off the problems.

 

The best way to lubricate the inside of the cable is to completely remove it from the boat and make up one of these, 19mm plumbing pipe - valve sikaflexed in.

squirt wurth spray grease inside the tube assemble and pressurize through.

 

 

This one here, is cleaning out the old grease with petrol, I made the mistake of using waterproof grease thinned with white spirit to lube the cable, the grease thickened over time and started getting sticky, wurth spray grease should be ok I would think.

 

[Paul D]

Ive managed to snap two ultraflex cables now, The E-Tec engine is a bit heavy for the lighter Teleflex cable ( I have only the 40HP one ) and it was recommended to me to get the heavy duty one next time. Seen them cheaper on e-bay ( Need cable and steering hub if getting heavy duty one but mine is well worn anyhow )