Replacing 170 Steering Cable- Replacement Length NON-Hydraulic

[eelbo83]

I'm replacing my steering cable and need to know the exact size to order. No guesses please. Only Experience.

[Fish Head]

 
Disassemble and take it to Worst(West) Marine and have them identify which one you need! Then tell them their prices are ridiculously expensive. Go home and order on Amazon or Discount Marine. They used to match Amazon Prime price as long as same brand.

[Capt. Bob]

Also, but not always, the cable length is stamped on the cable itself. If you haven't already, take a look.

[wingnut]

Before you replace - have you pulled the arm out of the steering tube on the engine? A lot of times it freezes up from pack rust inside the tube, but the actual cable is fine. You can clean out the pack rust with a round file (something coarse, like a wood rasp), regrease, and then (sometimes) you are good to go.

If you pull the cable out and it turns freely, this is the issue. If not, then you will need a new cable.