Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

How much play should there be in a teleflex steering system? I can turn my wheel about a quarter to half of a turn before I see any movement in the cable at the engine. The cable is only a year old so does that mean my steering head is worn out?

Do you have a standard single cable rotary system?

First thing I would do is make sure every thing is tight. Get under the helm and have a friend rock the wheel back and forth. Look for play at the jacket end. Sometimes you think it's seated fine but it isn't and it won't always come out if not stressed too much. If all looks well, pull off the dust cover from the cable end and verify that the cable itself moves with the wheel. If not the helm unit is worn or malfunctioning.

ToonGuy wrote:Do you have a standard single cable rotary system?

First thing I would do is make sure every thing is tight. Get under the helm and have a friend rock the wheel back and forth. Look for play at the jacket end. Sometimes you think it's seated fine but it isn't and it won't always come out if not stressed too much. If all looks well, pull off the dust cover from the cable end and verify that the cable itself moves with the wheel. If not the helm unit is worn or malfunctioning.

Thanks, yes It is a single rotary. I'll check all of those things this weekend, I'll bet it is the helm unit. I know I have the original 21 year old steering wheel and wouldn't doubt if the helm unit isn't the same. thanks again