Steering cables

stav

stav

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 Aug 2002
Messages
904
Location
Jersey
Visit site
Westerly Conway, cables last replaced in 96.

Checking over the cable found a strand sticking out over one of the turning blocks, so what to do?

Leave alone and monitor it.

Replace with 5mm galvanised with a stainless steel swaged threaded end for the quadrant abd bulldog grips to form an eye to connect to bottle screw.

As above in 7x7 stainless steel or much more expensive 7x19.

I have been recommended the first option as the galv will be more subtle.

Also thoughts on taulrit or bulldog grips, and 4mm or 5mm. I am interested in the steering giving as much feedback as possible.

Will add some photos later and not really keen to take wires off and send to anyone to make up as I feel she is vulnerable being on the cradle and not being able to move her if the forecast is really bad.

thanks in advance.
 
Sixteen years is getting on a bit for wire controls. If the broken strand is new break since you last inspected it then it is a definitive sign of wire cable failure. I would plan on replacing the cables.

Bulldog clipped loops are strong provided that the wire is bent around the correct hard eye and can be a very economical and secure method of making an eye. As the quadrant is not visible then aesthetics is not so important. The Bull Dog clips should be used correctly: the U Bolt part is fitted over the tail, not the standing part. There are other cable clamp devices as well where it doesn't matter which way the clamp goes.

Galvanised wire is a suitable wire for steering cables.
 
I've got cable steering on my little Nelson, but if the cable broke it would only take a few minutes to fit the tiller to the rudder post. If I couldn't get the steering sorted quickly I would renew the cables.
Bulldogs are fine but will go rusty without a smear of grease or vaseline over them (are they available in stainless??). But they look a bit mickey mouse - depends what facilities you have to fit proper terminals and fittings I suppose.
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
Sixteen years is getting on a bit for wire controls. If the broken strand is new break since you last inspected it then it is a definitive sign of wire cable failure. I would plan on replacing the cables.

Bulldog clipped loops are strong provided that the wire is bent around the correct hard eye and can be a very economical and secure method of making an eye. As the quadrant is not visible then aesthetics is not so important. The Bull Dog clips should be used correctly: the U Bolt part is fitted over the tail, not the standing part. There are other cable clamp devices as well where it doesn't matter which way the clamp goes.

Galvanised wire is a suitable wire for steering cables.
Click to expand...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXzFaILg50U
 
stav said:
not really keen to take wires off and send to anyone to make up as I feel she is vulnerable being on the cradle and not being able to move her if the forecast is really bad.
Click to expand...

Could you not use the emergency tiller if it became necessary to move?

Although, if you use galvanised cable and bulldogs, which would be my choice provided there's room for the bulldogs (there isn't on my boat), you shouldn't have to send the old cables away anyway.

Pete
 
I replaced our steering cable 18 months ago. Arthurs in Gosport stocked the wire. Just took the old one in and they made it up while I waited. Cost I think was £45.
 
Thanks for the replies, I am inclined to go for the galvanised wire with bulldog grips, but want to check they will clear each other at the pedestal end. The one thing I am not clear on is can a stainless steel swaged end fitting (M10(?) threaded end) be added to galvanised wire?
Thanks again.
 
I might be a little concerned about swaging SS terminals onto a galvanized wire. The steering gear may sit in a damp salty condition for months at a time and that would lead to rapid corrosion. Add that to the fact that there is a stress riser that exists at the end of any crimp terminal and you could be looking at a broken wire again after quite a short time.

One of the good things to come out of this soul searching is that you will also be thinking about how to gain easy access to the area in the future, so you can keep the cables greased!

Rob.
 
stav said:
Westerly Conway, cables last replaced in 96.

Checking over the cable found a strand sticking out over one of the turning blocks, so what to do?

Leave alone and monitor it.

Replace with 5mm galvanised with a stainless steel swaged threaded end for the quadrant abd bulldog grips to form an eye to connect to bottle screw.

As above in 7x7 stainless steel or much more expensive 7x19.

I have been recommended the first option as the galv will be more subtle.

Also thoughts on taulrit or bulldog grips, and 4mm or 5mm. I am interested in the steering giving as much feedback as possible.

Will add some photos later and not really keen to take wires off and send to anyone to make up as I feel she is vulnerable being on the cradle and not being able to move her if the forecast is really bad.

thanks in advance.
Click to expand...



If your wire is 7x7 then that is 7 strands with each strand comprising 7 wires. I sincerely hope you do not have 7 broken wires!!!!!

I suspect you have just a single broken wire within one strand which should be of little concern. If possible cut off the broken pieces and then monitor.

7X19 SS is certainly more flexible and the better option . I see no reason to consider galvanised wire for this application I suspect it would have a shorter life regarding the bending over pulleys.


How does your stearing wire connect to the quadrant. On my Westerly there are two pigtails permanently attached to the quadrant and out of sight. These pigtails are connected at the quadrant end where the ends pass through a hole with a talurite sleeve on the back. If you have a similar arrangment then check the pigtails where they pass throught the quadrant to ensure there are not broken STRANDS there. Westerly employed a hole at right angles with sharp edges on some models! If needing new pigtails then radius the sharp edges before fitting the new ones.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top