Broken steering cable

[colemj]

I see your problem - dogs should always be facing starboard during steering system inspections, not port. But at least it is standing at attention, as also necessary.

That cable looks old enough to be original, so if it is 10mm, then I would just replace it with the same.

The stuff only costs $1.50 or so per foot, so it isn't like you will go broke with it or sink your boat with the minor weight of it.

Your chain looks fine from the picture.

From your previous picture, that wire absolutely failed from chafe. It should be pretty easy to figure out where/why - just look at the area it chafed in and see what is doing it.

Mark

[Stumble]

It actually may have failed because the wire was being bent over a two small of a radius. This is actually pretty common, when people replace wire they go up a size, because bigger is better, but they don't increase the size of the sheaves. This decreases the bend ratio, causing premature fatigue in the wire.

I can't really tell what you have, but the current Edson systems don't use 5/16 until you get into 60-70' boats. Do you know what size the sheaves are for your installed system? The size sheaves are a pretty good indicator of the wire size intended for the system (assuming a decent install in the first place). These are the minimum size sheaves for the given wire size. You can always (and really should) use larger sheaves when at all possible.

4" is 3/16
6"-8" is 1/4
10"-12" is 5/16

[scoobert]

No bigger then 4".
Surely not 6.

[WebWench]

Suggest you go to hardware store and get a cheap caliper so you can measure things like chain, wire and rope, etc.

[Stumble]

Then it looks like your wire and sheaves are not matched because that wire looks bigger than 3/16. You could try and find the original specs for the steering system, but it looks like a bad install to me. 3/16 would be pretty small for a 45' boat, I would expect to see 1/4.

You could get away with those size sheaves if you went to something like 7x49 wire, but that raise a whole host of other issues like stretch.

Frankly I think you need to do a complete system survey with calipers, and if possible the original design specs of what you have. Something just doesn't feel right from what you have said.

[bobconnie]

From the looks of stuff shown in your pics, theres a bunch of minor repairs that are gonna need work soon ! Just sayin, with the stuff your finding, maybe a couple of more weeks at some dock to finish up some of the stuff you need to do before yall take offshore, just might be real good thinking!! always better safe then sorry !!

[scoobert]

So I ended up getting 1/4inch 7 x 19 galvanized wire.
There is 50 feet long and swegged at one end.
I could've gotten away with 25 feet but they didn't sell it.
Total price for the two wires with the swegged end and some miscellaneous fittings was $50.
They had 3/8 as well for not much more, But given is my sheves are only about 4 inches I went with the smaller diameter wire.

Before I install the wire I plan to coat the entire thing with lithium grease.
Thank you everyone for your input.

[DeepFrz]

I am wondering if you have inspected and serviced the sheaves and sheave pins? You haven't mentioned it.

[scoobert]

No, but i can check their operation when i reassemble.

Just a check to make sure they spin free and a shot of lube?

[Paul Elliott]

Originally Posted by scoobert

No, but i can check their operation when i reassemble.

Just a check to make sure they spin free and a shot of lube?

Make sure they spin free under load, and that they are properly aligned.

[DeepFrz]

Edson has a service bulletin for the steering and how and what to check.

[zboss]

Hi, reopening an old thread.

I read the service bulletin mentioned by DeepFrz but do not see any mention of lubricating the groove surface of the sheaves where the wire rolls over the sheave. When we bought our boat these were greased.

I have since removed the sheaves and inspected the sheaves and pins and at the same time cleaned them and reinstalled without greasing the wire to sheave surface... only the pin area.

Should I go back and grease or oil it?

- z

[rmr1]

Edson recommend using just engine oil rubbed with a rag or brush along the length of the steering cables at regular intervals.