Replacing the cable between the upper and lower helm

[rustylewis]

We need to replace the cable between the upper and lower helm stations. The cable is frayed badly and worn about halfway through where it enters the tube just above the lower steering wheel.

Does anyone have a recommendation for someone in the Seattle area that can do this work?

[GB42-267]

There are several, but any boatyard or rigging company will be able to handle this, pick one and give them a call.

Seaview Boatyard Inc
6701 Seaview Ave NW, Seattle, WA ‎
(206) 789-3030

Canal Boatyard
4300 11th Ave NW, Seattle, WA ‎
(206) 784-8408

Yacht Riggers
4711 Shilshole Ave NW, Seattle, WA ‎
(206) 282-7737

Sound Rigging & Yacht Services
1341 N Northlake Way, Seattle, WA ‎
(206) 283-8845

Good luck

[Bob Lowe]

How is the tube where it flares?

If it is worn and needs replacement, the time to do it is when you replace the cable.

[dond]

This is a very straightforward repair. Do a search on this site and you will find easy to follow directions. I replaced this cable on my 32 recently, completing the entire job in less than an hour. Having a helper in the salon makes the job much easier.

Best of luck,

Don

[Tom Overs]

As stated its an easy job to do, however.....

Make sure you wind the cable on the correct way. I didn't and when I turned the upper helm to port the boat went to starboard..

Tom.

[rustylewis]

Thank you all for your prompt replies. I did search the site, but had no success. If someone could point me to the right thread, I would appreciate it. Maybe I am just not searching for the right keywords.

I will take a look at the tube between the helm stations this weekend when I visit the boat.

[dond]

Sorry, I should have posted this with my original reply. Try this link. Go to the 7th posting down by David Reed.

http://www.grandbanksowners.com/gbb/vie ... 792abe72b4

One other word of caution. Be SURE to be very careful about having that loose piece of stainless cable flapping around behind the lower helm. There are an awful lot of electrical wires back there (at least on my 32)!

Best of luck,

Don

[rustylewis]

Thanks! That looks easy enough.

[rustylewis]

Replace the steering cable this weekend. It was easy. Took a friend and I about 45 minutes.

We used a 22 foot piece of 3/16" 7x19 cable. We had about 8"-10" of extra to cut off on each end.

The only problem I could not sort out was aligning the two steering wheels. The flybridge wheel is off center by one spoke. I tried loosening the allen screws on the flybridge wheel and moving the drum on the shaft but that did not work. I am sure it is easy and obvious -- except to me when I was there.

[rustylewis]

I finally got around to writing up the process for changing the cable and posted it to my blog in the hopes that it might benefit others.

http://blog.mvarchimedes.com/2013/12/re ... ring-cable

[Tom Overs]

Just looked at the blog..... Well done in getting it sorted, I had mine wrapped the wrong way around the first time so when I turned the upper helm left she went right.

The only suggestion I have is put plenty of grease on the drum to help prevent chaff of the cable.

Tom.

[Bob Lowe]

The best lubricant would be a chain and cable lube. It is designed to get inside the cable and lube all strands to minimize internal wear as well as lube the exterior to minimize external wear as the cable works around the drum and other components.

A good grease can also be added to the exterior of the cable for good measure.

[rustylewis]

The best lubricant would be a chain and cable lube

Thanks. I'll add that to the post.

[kdibnah]

Motorcycle chain lube is excellent (like Bob says) but the motorcycle variety comes in a spray can with one of those little squirt tubes so it's not so messy. As my old boss used to say, "sticks like poop to a blanket!"

[Bob Lowe]

I believe all the spray can versions come with the tube that makes it easier to direct the stuff. I used Lubriplate's version.