Matt T,

Depending on the cable - undo the cable from the helm, raise it to a high point and tape a funnel onto the cable casing. Run a few funnels of turps/petrol through the cable casing to get rid of greese and grime build up. It takes a while for the liquid to run through the cable. Turn the motor to get the cable moving as this helps the liquid move through the cable casing.

Once it loosens up, run a funnel of thin motor oil (15w-40 or similar)through it.

If it still won't loosen, replace it.

I just had mine done on a 19ft boat with outboard (1994), cost way less than your quote. Not sure what type of cable you require though.

The mechanic lifted motor off boat, replaced cable and it runs smooth as. My setup required mootor to be removed from the boat, this may not be the case with yours. I use a mobile mechanic northern suburbs.

If you are north side, I can PM the mechanic.

Borbs

Also check if the motor turns on way more than the other if so the steering rod thingy (hope that helps) on the front of the motor may be packed up at one end with old partly solidified grease, hard to get the old grease out of this but possible to clean this out and repack with new grease.  (Just don't put to much pressure on the steering wheel when doing this I broke mine and ended up driving around on the short prongs for part of a trip until they could freight a new wheel up).

That being said if just stiff in both directions more than likely the cable..

The steering is just as stiff both ways so I guess that its the cable. I'll try loosening it by myself - but I'm worried I'll stuff it up and end up in more trouble than I started with. Is it pretty straight forward?

PM sent.

Step 1 Remove cable and associated Hardware.
Step 2 Place in Bin
Step 3 replace with Hydraulic Steering, No more problems.
I use Hydrive, bloody fantastic.

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IF IT BLEEDS,.........WE CAN KILL IT. CPBA MEMBER

Sounds the goods but whats it worth?

about 900 bucks for the whole kit which includes bull horn fron mount kit. BIAS in claremont. Never go back to crappy cable.

______________________________________
IF IT BLEEDS,.........WE CAN KILL IT. CPBA MEMBER

Depends on your boat but sometimes the sportkit is a little easier to fit.

Thanks for the comments fellas. I ended up replacing the cable and having to fit a new drive to as the old one was rack and pinion and they don't make them anymore. It was actually alot easier than I anticipated and now she swing pretty sweet. For some reason though, the right turn is quite a bit stiffer than the left? Any idea's?

use the other hand. lol


______________________________________
IF IT BLEEDS,.........WE CAN KILL IT. CPBA MEMBER