Replacing Teleflex Steering Cable

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Sat Nov 13, 2010 9:44 pm

The Teleflex rotary helm steering cable went bad (broke internally) on my outboard.

Took the old one out.

There is no cable # on it - just "Made by Teleflex Inc, in USA" every foot or so.

The Teleflex measurement instructions couldn't be much more confusing

One Teleflex site says
"Measure the plastic jacket, add 18", round up to nearest foot and order" ?!? yikes!
http://teleflex.ru/upload/files/catalog ... Cables.pdf
With this method, I measure my plastic @ 13', so I add 18" and then round up a foot = 15' . WOW - Whats that?

But, their support site says:
Measure the Existing Cable as Follows: Measure the cable from tip to tip in inches, and round up to next even foot. Order that length cable.
http://www.teleflexmarine.com/support/faqs/
With this method, I measure total "end-to end" (it broken, so who knows) at 15-17', so I round up a foot? wow = 16, 17 or 18'. WOW - Whats that?

My question is, what does the Teleflex measurement indicate? Total length of the housing? or the cable inside?

MTP · Post by **MTP** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 5:04 am

sounds like they need the housing length i would go with 15 or 16 feet

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 8:50 am

Sounds like the first way you messure the housing and add 18"

the second way you messure the cable it self .

I would think the would be close ?

If your buying local they should willing to open a box and match it .

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:08 am

It would be nice to order the correct length cable, rather than buy/try/return.

I've got emails into tech support. I'll let everyone know how Teleflex steering cables are measured.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 9:44 am

That why buying local is good let them messure or match one up , then its on them if wrong

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 11:02 am

I buy wholesale (delivered to shop) - so it takes a few extra days to return if its wrong.

Plus - this information could be useful to others in the future.

Cheers - off for an afternoon on the Viva Mahia ... 70degF here today

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Nov 14, 2010 11:06 am

Going after rock this afternoon

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 8:42 pm

No luck on the cable question so far.

Teleflex Tech Support doesn't know what length cable I should buy to replace their broken Teleflex cable that I measure at 13' of plastic jacket. ...

Maybe they outsource to India?

I shall endeavor to pursue (and then just order some estimated cable length and hope it works Iguess - jeeeeeesh).

MattSC · Post by **MattSC** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 9:04 pm

Ross,
My steering unit is a Teleflex No Feedback steering system part # SS147 I ordered a 15 foot cable. The black plastic sleeve on my unit is 13' (or 156") With the rudder hard to port the cable is fully retracted into itself. Hard to Starboard the cable extends 18" from the end of the plastic jacket.

Here's some info from the Jamestown Distributors site referencing the Teleflex reference manual.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... ing+Cables

Hope it helps,

Matt

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 9:28 pm

Thanks Matt !

I see they say "add 18 inches", but I wondered why they couldn't just tell me what cable to buy to replace my 13' sheath? I have a whole garage full of crap that was supposed to fit ....

In you case, a 13' plastic sheath is a 15' cable?

Now I need to see which cable (NFB or not) I need ...

MattSC · Post by **MattSC** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 10:00 pm

Ross,
You are correct, my sheath is 13' and my cable part number is ss14715 the 15 being cable length in feet. I have the no feedback cable and am really happy with it. It's rated for outboards up to V6. Steering is very smooth and I can steer with 1 finger, it also holds a course pretty well if you take your hand off the wheel, though mine is used on a rudder not an outboard.
Here's a link to a video Jamestown Distributors has on how to measure a steering cable. Should help a bit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ichQI8jUTz8

Matt

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 10:20 am

After 2 days of emails/calls, Teleflex doesn't know what length cables has 13' outer sheath (black plastic length)

They will only suggest using their formula, which comes up with 15', so I guess I'l order it, have it delivered and hope for the best. I hate sending stuff back.

They also don't seem to know what the steering cable length is a measure of. Odd.

Was going to buy Teleflex gauges, but thinking I'll spend the bucks and get VDO now ....

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 6:33 pm

6 rounds of emails and still no direct answer. too much ...

They also refuse to answer (or even acknowledge I asked) how to check my rotary helm to see if it needs to be replaced.

Looking forward to my VDO gauges.

MattSC · Post by **MattSC** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 7:40 pm

The teleflex ss147 I installed came complete with the rotary assembly. The only original part I re-used was the wheel. That's pretty lousy that they don't have an answer for you. As for gauges I replaced mine with Gaffrig, they work well.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 10:38 pm

Gaffrigs are great gauges. My buddy's race boat has them ... but I can't get them at cost.