Control Cable

[Maddog]

People - I need help quick. The shift cable on my boat is stuck due to some corossion. I was able to get it moving again by applting a little wd40 and working it back and forth. I remember reading somewhere that you could use a vaccume pump to suck oil into the cable to relubricate it. Am I high? I need to know today so I can make my weekend trip to Catalina.

I appriciate any help.

[David M]

Your cable needs to be replaced. Once they start getting sticky it only gets worse. For now you can probably get by for a while so long as you move it frequently.

[Lancerbye]

From experience I can tell you that if it stuck due to rust you might want to replace it for peace of mind. There is nothing as exciting as coming into a dock expecting to applying the brakes by reversing it and having the cable break. I had a similar problem some years back. Luckily I had a friend with me who climbed down into a very uncomfortable position to become the shift on demand person. Even then it was very dicey getting back to the dock. The feel just wasn't there. I was lucky in tha the cable broke when I was in a cove a long ways from the dock.

[Maddog]

Thanks guys - I just priced a replacement Teleflex 33C cable and it wasn't as bad as I thought. Hopefully WM can get it to me by tomarrow.

Next question - How do I get the control end out of the pedistal? It is an older brand, not Edison. Should I be looking for a lock screw of some sort? I see it goes through a block, but I didn't see screw or nut. Can I just push it out from the bottom? The cable is held firm at the other end.

Once again - Thank you for the quick replies.

[roberttigar]

The cable comes with the cover...its a set. Disconnect both ends, remove the cable, remount the new one in the same position, secure it in the same place as the old one and connect both ends. Bob

[Maddog]

I get that. On the engine side there is a bracket that secures the cable jacket to the boat. Is there usally the same type of bracket set up inside the pedistal, or does the cable just thread through a hole below the compass? Should I be looking for a screw or nut to free the cable from the pedistal?

I apologize if I am not being clear.

[Lancerbye]

They usually use the same type of U-clip or U- bolt to hold the cable to your shift control bracket. the end uses a stud which is screwed on the cable forming a 90 degree connection to your shift control arm, with an end pinhole to lock it on with a cotter pin. Having said that some also use a fork end connector.

[roberttigar]

I am assuming that you have red jacketed cables mfred by Telfex. The end at the pedistal control usually clips into the control frame and then fits into a slot or clevis pin and the pin is secured with a cotter pin. After you have fit it in, adjust the cable slide using the lock nut on the threaded end. Your transmission shift arm (the Y on the transmission case) should move all the way foreward when you shift the pedistal control handle even a little bit foreward and all the way to reverse when you move the control handle to Reverse. I hope this helps. Bob

[Maddog]

Bob - Thank you. I was working on this late last night with just a head lamp and couldn't see all the way down. Tonight the compass comes off and the control arms will be removed and now I have an idea of what to look for. Got a new cable for less than $50. I hope to be good to go by cocktail:30 on Friday night. Last trip of the year to Avalon.