Started to replace mechanical steering

Bud Kennedy · December 28, 2021, 04:23:06 PM

With this very nice weather I thought it would be a good time to install the new steering cables and new helm on the old Ranger. One thing about doing a job like this on a 30 year old boat is that there is lots and lots of rusted bolts to deal with. Attached are a few pics taken today of the helm removal. Every step has been an exercise in discovery. Who ever installed this current helm did a crappy job. I found stripped bolts as the biggest problem and oh yeah they too were rusted. As an old man I am not as flexible as years ago but I got the job done so far.

Tomorrow I have to make the dash opening a bit larger so the new helm will fit as directed by Sea Star. It requires a 3" hole and my current dash opening is 2.5". I have a template to use all I have to do is be sure I don't cut any wires up under the dash. It is fairly wide open but will have to take care.

I have not done anything yet with the cables but will likely remove the old cables sometime tomorrow. All I can say removing the helm was a PITA and I suspect the cables will also be problematic but will get r done. As a quick comment I must say that so far this is been quite fun and am looking forward to the rest of the install.

D.W. Verts · December 28, 2021, 05:59:43 PM

Long sleeve shirt Bud. Trust me. LONG sleeves. Preferably made out of Kevlar.

Dale

Princeton_Man · December 29, 2021, 08:16:47 AM

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on December 28, 2021, 04:23:06 PM
With this very nice weather I thought it would be a good time to install the new steering cables and new helm on the old Ranger. One thing about doing a job like this on a 30 year old boat is that there is lots and lots of rusted bolts to deal with. Attached are a few pics taken today of the helm removal. Every step has been an exercise in discovery. Who ever installed this current helm did a crappy job. I found stripped bolts as the biggest problem and oh yeah they too were rusted. As an old man I am not as flexible as years ago but I got the job done so far.

Tomorrow I have to make the dash opening a bit larger so the new helm will fit as directed by Sea Star. It requires a 3" hole and my current dash opening is 2.5". I have a template to use all I have to do is be sure I don't cut any wires up under the dash. It is fairly wide open but will have to take care.

I have not done anything yet with the cables but will likely remove the old cables sometime tomorrow. All I can say removing the helm was a PITA and I suspect the cables will also be problematic but will get r done. As a quick comment I must say that so far this is been quite fun and am looking forward to the rest of the install.

Cut the cables off before detaching from the motor, attach a couple of pull strings to them and pull them out from the helm. Attach the pull strings to the new hydraulic lines, have your wife or neighbor pull the strings from the stern while you feed the hydraulic lines from the helm.

Bud Kennedy · December 29, 2021, 04:16:25 PM

Productive day today. Got the old cables removed from the motor without cutting anything and then removed the old cables with no problems. In fact the removal of the old cables only took about 10 minutes.

I now have installed the new cables and that was a bit of a task considering I did all this stuff solo. The pull strings did the job and in fact a pulled a couple extra strings not knowing what I will need in the future. The new helm is installed and the new rack is installed. Installing the new cables and helm took about 2.5 hours to complete. Here are a couple of photos from today.

Old Cables

New Helm

Bassinkorea · December 29, 2021, 05:12:33 PM

Nice work and progress Bud

Bud Kennedy · December 29, 2021, 05:12:56 PM

Quote from: D.W. Verts on December 28, 2021, 05:59:43 PM
Long sleeve shirt Bud. Trust me. LONG sleeves. Preferably made out of Kevlar.

Dale

I did not take your advice about the long sleeve shirt. Go ahead and tell me you told me so,

Donald Garner · December 29, 2021, 06:01:35 PM

Great job getting the old out and new installed. Tks for sharing the pictures with us also.

Princeton_Man · December 29, 2021, 06:09:00 PM

Nice job Bud!

Eventually, you will be glad you pulled some extra strings.

Bud Kennedy · December 30, 2021, 12:52:01 PM

Got rain and thunderstorms today so I will not be doing any significant things to the boat. I still have to dress the wiring under the dash and I also have to put the cables into the motor. Not much to do but when working outside you have to expect a chance of uncooperative weather. Friday and Saturday however look good so I will be able to finish up then. I was able to repaint the adapter to enable the use of my existing 6 screw steering wheel. It will need a second coat that I will be able to do sometime this afternoon after the first coat has dried.