Replacing Throttle Control/Cable and Steering

[GrowingLad]

Morning All,
I'm starting a mini Restore on my Dad's motor boat and wanted to check with you guys before going ahead on the following:

I've arranged with a guy to install the engine and leg and associated electrics and was thinking of getting the guy to replace the steering and throttle control and cables.

Thinking a bit more about it, I could save a few quid by replacing the throttle and steering myself.

I'd draw the line on the engine side of things but am reasonably okay with my hands. The boat has a semi open wheelhouse and all the cable runs are open to work on.

Steering isn't hydraulic, although because the boat has been sitting out of the water for quite a few years, the cable has seized.

Any experience on this matter? I'm assuming it shouldn't need a rocket scientist to do such a job but as they say, "Assumption is the mother of all "*&$*$".

I'm going to give it a go with WD40 on the cable ends to see if the seize isn't too bad but if the worse comes to the worse they will have to be replaced.

Any horror stories, anything to bear in mind before starting ?

Thanks, Simon.

 

[Channel Ribs]

It is well worth replacing the cable, it may well stick again at the wrong time and they are not that costly.

 

[GrowingLad]

From my limited investigations I believe the steering and throttle mechanisms although in need of a clean up are functioning okay as they were well under cover and kept dry. If you move the wheel it will move slightly before the siezed cable stops it moving further.

I suppose it depends on the make but is it normal to be able to replace the inner and outer cable on the steering system or are the mechanism's behind the wheel sealed units?

I suppose that's a bit of a "How long is a bit of string question" but I'd be interested to hear anyones experience of a similar job.

Thanks,

 

[Lakesailor]

Most of them have a gearbox behind the wheel hub and a cable that passes through it.

 

[StanFolds]

I had a boat with siezed steering that I got to work with WD 40 and BFI but it always had a stiff spot until I replaced the steering box and cable. There is a lot of information here http://www.aquafax.co.uk/pdfs/04_cat.pdf that might be helpful.
Stan

 

[Colvic Watson]

We tried unseizing the engine control cables but they were always a bit sticky and it's something that you really need to just work. At £50 for new cables, it's no big deal. The steering is between £65 and £100 to replace and is probably worth doing as well if it has been sat a long time and is sticking now. Imagine you are coming back to the slipway and the engine sticks in forward or the steering seizes up! I think it may be worth the £120 all in for new cables and gear box. They are easy to fit. Make sure the engine throttle/gear control box is well greased as that can also be a cause of stuck controls, but is £100+ to replace.