Rack and pinion steering

[drew238]

Has anyone ever replaced the rack and pinion steering on their boat? I have a 99 Stratos 201PE and the steering has gotten so tight that it is dangerous. Just wondering if it is something that someone can do on their own or if it is best to have it done by a mechanic.

[R19]

I have not heard of many people that have had trouble out of the rack and pinion. 99% of the time tight steering will be fixed buy replacing the steering cables. That is not a very hard job if you are comfrtoable working on your our equipment.

R19

[ukbassman]

How expensive is it to replace those cables? I just bought a Stratos 285 xl pro and the steering is rather tight, even on plane it is a little tighter than I would like it. Not dangerous tight, but not comfortable either.

Thanks in advance,
UKbassman

[R19]

I had a friend that had tight steering and he said a new set of cables made a wolrd of differance. If my memory is correct the price was around $200 for a 200hp merc. I had another friend that changed them on a 150 Yamaha and if my memory is correct they were $250. I dont know why such the differance in price but I do remember the yamaha cost more. I have hydrulic steering...no cables but alot more $ to fix if I ever have a problem.

[MsgMills]

I completely changed the steering cables on my uncles 85 Mercury, that is on his Pontoon and it was a piece of cake. I had never even messed with anything like it before, you can't mess it up. Unhook everything and put the new ones on and then adjust as needed to make sure you can turn right and left the fullest extent you want... I believe about any type of shade tree mechanic can do the job...Save some money and do it yourself, buy the cables you need and install them....

[stratos179]

The steering was tight on my boat I noticed where they connect on the motor they had a lot of grime on them I cleaned them off with wd40 oiled them while turining the steering wheel I havent had a problem since then I do clean them off and oil them about once a month I would try that before I shelled out a couple hundred bucks hope that helps.

[drew238]

Thanks for the replies. I have lubed them often, but they just get tighter and tighter. It is impossible to turn the wheel with one hand. Anyone know of an internet sight that might show you how to change the cables?

[Devils Horse]

Your 201 Stratos should have dual cables, and it's likely one or both are the problem. If you're going to do it yourself, you have to make very sure you order the right length cable. Most people recommend replacing both cables instead of just one, but that would be up to you. The job's not that mentally hard to do, but it's not real fun from a physical standpoint.

I had mine replaced by 31E Marine near the Barren State Park, the hour of shop labor was worth it to me. Be sure and add the lubrication fittings on the engine side of the cables. Those are a bit pricey ($40 or so) for what they are, but they allow you to 'inject' a little lube oil into the cables every year.

[drew238]

Thanks Devils Horse, I will definitely keep that in mind. I appreciate the input.

[CTFSHWHISKER]

did my 96 295 pro in about 2 hours..i would not change just the cables spend the money for all of it.sometimes the problem is in the helm if you replace cable then you have to go back.i took the cables loose from the helm and cut the end and pulled one cable out,hook the new ones to the end of the other and pull them to the motor,if you have a jackplate you may have to take the engine loose to get the back one in i did,don't bend them much or you will crak the case.there are loops made in the hull to hold them it takes a little work getting them through but it isn't hard at all.