Steering cable replacement on 2007 super air 220

[spindoc220]

I have a 2007 SANTE 220TE with a tight steering cable. Is there anyway to lubricate via grease fittings anywhere for this cable or will I have to replace the entire cable? I replaced one in an older Moomb outback direct drive once and it was a PITA lol if I need to replace it , is there a step-by-step how to on replacing it. I am not having a lot of luck finding specific topics on here. I am a definite computer illiterate. Thanks for any help. .

[NautiqueJeff]

No way to lubricate it. You must replace it.

[Rednucleus]

Are you sure it's the cable and not the rudder?

[spindoc220]

No, I’m not certain of that. How would I know if it is the Rutter

[spindoc220]

Rudder

[SilentSeven]

99% likely it's the cable.

You might be able to lube your rudder shaft. If your 2007 is anything like my 2004 206, there's a grease fitting you use to lube the rudder. My fitting is in the aft locker. Has a blue nipple cap on it...kinda easy to spot. Look for that and give it one or two grease pumps. Don't pump too much or it just squoozes out and makes a mess in the bilge.

I could not believe HOW MUCH BETTER my steerage was with a new cable. Steers now like a hot knife through buttah.... You want to replace that cable.

[spindoc220]

I really appreciate your quick response. I see the nipple with the blue cap. I will try that. Is there any particular type of grease I should use? I just ordered a new Teleflex steering cable should be here in a couple of days. I do a lot of simple things on the boat, such as changing starter, plugs, change oil and filter, change, fuel filter, water pump impeller and a thermostat.
it was much easier to work on the previous direct drives. I have had. 67 and retired Dentist due to neck back and shoulder issues so I feel like I turned myself into a pretzel when I changed the water pump impeller laying on top of the engine. the nearest dealer to me in Mobile is Emerald Coast Marine and they have only been a dealer one year and I have had lots of problems from them this past two years. I am hoping to find an owners manual of some type that might give me a cookbook step-by-step on how to replace the steering cable. I’m not sure if anyone has laid that out with Boat similar to mine. If anyone could tell me how to lay my hands on a step-by-step Instruction guide of replacing the cable in my 2007 220SANTE, I would appreciate it.

[Rednucleus]

If you unhook the cable from the rudder and the rudder turns easily by hand, that says cable time. And if this is original cable, it's a wear and tear item ready to replace in a 2007 boat

[spindoc220]

Thank you it is the original and I use it in brackish water
I went ahead and ordered a new one today. I just hope I can figure out how to replace it. I’ve looked up a few videos on YouTube.

[SilentSeven]

+1 for youtube videos. They will give you the essence of the job. Get a boat buddy to help with this job. You'll need a 'feeder' and a 'puller' to make it work.

[spindoc220]

Thanks everyone.
The cable is arriving today, so hopefully I can get it done by the weekend. I saw a YouTube video for a 2005 Malibu VLX steering cable change over. Hopefully it’s pretty similar to the Nautique.

[biacs]

Few things of note from my cable:

• remove the driver side ballast tank to reach rudder
• I snaked my cable along the driver side gunnel and under the seats to center up and pass under the engine
• I painfully cut the cable to get it out of the boat

They build these and then mate the top and bottom - make the cable job something you can live with as a DIY person!

[spindoc220]

Thanks Biacs, Where did you cut the cable and what did you use. Were you not able to pull it out in one piece? Most have said to tie a rope to the rudder end and pull out by the dashboard. I have it loose at the rudder, but there is a square black metal box with 2 bolts on each side that tightens down on the cable. Did you have to take that apart to get the cable out? The new cable is designed so that the metal rod that connects to the rudder slides on the outside of the steering cable but the old one slides inside the steering cable if that makes sense. Did it make any difference? Where did you order your cable from? I got mine from SKIDIM. I guess if I ever get the old one out I can compare the 2. Thanks and if anyone else has any input I would appreciate it !!!!

[biacs]

I used bolt cutters, as close to the front as I could. But it was a huge PITA - should have found a better way to cut it :-) I had the floor out too obviously. Then fed it up through the dash area to remove it.

I cant recall the other 'box' but I'm sure I probably took it loose to get the cable out. The biggest issue was finally taking the ballast tank out, then I could reach everything easily!

[bturner]

Another thought here which may or may not be an issue or something many don't consider......

When I've done these I've approached them in 2 ways depending on hours on the boat and overall condition. On a newer (>10 years, 400 hours) boat I'll do just the cable if the helm tilt is solid and there's little to no play in the steering. In a higher hour boat with a loose tilt and/or loose feel (watch the tiller arm when you turn the wheel, does it move exactly in relation to the steering wheel movement?), I'll do it all. I'll do the complete helm assembly with the steering cable. The results are amazing. It's quite the investment over just a cable but I've done 3 of these so far and not one person had buyer's remorse on the investment. This is especially true on slalom boats, it restores the "drives like it's on rails" feeling.

The pinion wears especially if the boat has been driven with a bad cable for some time and just changing the rack with the cable is only half the solution. The tilt on these also get loose and both happen slowly so you really don't notice until you drive a newer boat to feel the difference.