2005 Launch 22SSV steering cable

[Tim405]

Got a bad one-- never had to change it.
Is it a teleflex part number 15420?
(20' length?)

[Tim405]

Skidim verified - number is good...
now, how big a PIA is this job?

[jzelt]

I undid the 8 screws holding the floor down and removed the panels, unhook the "steering support tube" from the block and unhook the rudder. (You could prob save 15 mins if you don't pull the floor, but it allows you to see if they zip tied the cable to hoses etc).

Tie a small rope to the end of the old, disconnect from the steering wheel and pull thru the opening.
Tie the rope to the new, bend/flex the end to get it thru the 90 deg. hole, pushing the cable and pulling the rope at the same time. (Helps to have someone help).

1-2 hrs tops.

While it is out, I recommend drilling and threading a zerk grease fitting into the support tube to allow you to put grease easier. Probably the last time you would need to replace the cable.

Also, before you tighten/fasten everything back up, make sure you route the cable where it needs to go. (on the bottom of the v-drive/hoses etc).

For the first ride out after replacing, make sure you hold the steering wheel because you aren't going to believe how easy a new cable turns.

[Tim405]

Thanks for the advice - but... you are saying that the rack part under the helm can be disconnected from the cable? - I was wondering how in the heck i was gonna snake that dealie thru the boat... but if it comes off this should be cake and pie!

[jzelt]

The rack disconnects from the steering column, but stays attached to the cable, everything is pulled toward the bow. I see how my shorthand got confusing.

[Tim405]

so i do gotta pull that mutha thru... whew... i guess LOL! If ya'll see a boat at Tenkiller with the steering cable duct taped outside the boat - it may be me!

[jzelt]

If you haven't done this yet, you pull the entire old cable to/toward the steering wheel side, and fish all the new cable back thru the hole to the rudder side. The rack doesn't go thru anything.

[Tim405]

Got it done last night... aside from hacksawing the old cable, removing the drivers seat and opening up access all the way forward to underneath the drivers side bow under seat storage- it went pretty easy...and yup- on the trailer anyway you can blow on the steering wheel and it turns easy! there's only about 4 feet of unseen area under the floor on this rig where the cable is routed..not to bad- just had to coerce the end thru with a ratchet handle- access hole was a little tight...

[jzelt]

Great job!

[claysimmons]

Got it done last night... aside from hacksawing the old cable, removing the drivers seat and opening up access all the way forward to underneath the drivers side bow under seat storage- it went pretty easy...and yup- on the trailer anyway you can blow on the steering wheel and it turns easy! there's only about 4 feet of unseen area under the floor on this rig where the cable is routed..not to bad- just had to coerce the end thru with a ratchet handle- access hole was a little tight...

The steering cable has a long rod attached to the end connected to the rudder. How did you manage to feed that through the access hole under the dash. Picture of my access hole and steering cable is attached. I don't see how it's possible to pull that shaft/nut end up through such a tight area. I can see it working hack sawing this end off, but then how do you plan putting the new one through there? There seems to be too many wires and hoses to accommodate the space required to fish that rod end of the steering cable through.

[SquamInboards]

Well, they didn't build the boat around the cable, so it's gotta get through there somehow. They may have put some of the hoses and wires through AFTER the cable, though, so you may have to wrestle and move some of those other things a little. Definitely tie the new one to the old one and use it to pull the new one through.

[jzelt]

I can say that isn't the same look mine has.
Mine went thru a hole that I had to bend the rudder end almost 90 degrees to fit.
Your cutout almost looks like the square end of the cable would pull up thru instead of the back piece being pushed. But I don't know if you would have the distance between the floor and the bottom of the boat to get it
If that area is covered by another piece (such as mine was, I would be tempted to drill another hole that would fit the nut end to make it easier). (Would prob do it anyways if you can move all that out of the way for clearance).
Jigsaw, holesaw, etc where the existing cable is seems like you would have enough clearance to enlarge.