tricks for steering cable removal ('94 175 w/Johnson 70

[Stocksail]

Hey guys, I'm finally getting some time this weekend to finish up my steering project. I have a new wheel and new Teleflex NFB helm after some previous input from you guys (thank you very much!)

now I have the helm removed, the front part of the cable free, the rear steering rod unscrewed and ready to pull out. thankfully it was not stuck in the tube!

I was thinking i wouldn't have to remove the motor since its a tiny Johnson 70hp but my attempts to get the steering rod all the way out of the tube have been fruitless. the angle from the motor tube to the rigging port doesn't line up and i'm not sure how much i can force the bend without damaging the motor tube. So what is the trick? or do i just need to man up and hoist the motor?

thanks,
Greg

[Capt. Bob]

Greg,
Can you post a pic or two?

Good luck.

[Stocksail]

gladly. I'll snap a few when i get home in about an hour.

[wingtime]

I hate to say it but your probably gonna have to pull the motor to get it out.  Of course pics are always good!

[RickK]

At least, like you mentioned, it's not stuck in the tube.

[seabob4]

A little trick if you can trust me...keeps from having to yank the motor.  Remove the port side engine mounting bolts and the starboard side bottom bolt.  Loosen the starboard side top bolt until the nut just is threaded on a few turn.  Pull the motor away from the transom (yes, she will droop down to port, but you can block her up on that side, it's just a dinky 70).  This way you can get the angle of the tilt tube more in line with the rigging port that the steering cable passes through and pull it on out.

Once the new cable in run through the tilt tube, re-install the 3 bolts you removed, then replace the top starboard bolt with a new one, as it saw a lot of stress.  Trust me, this works on little motors.  I wouldn't try it on anything bigger than a 115...

[slvrlng]

I got my old cable out the easy way. Hacksaw. Of course I was going from cable to Uflex hydraulic so install was easier.

[Stocksail]

thanks seabob. i started to attempt the method you discussed and the motor just wanted to fall backwards, i looked at fashioning some sort of hoist to keep it steady so i could rotate it to get the cable out but have decided to just bite the bullet and have a shop paint the bottom and do the cable at the same time. they said they would pull the motor and paint behind the bracket then.

i have so many projects on my hands i need to just start farming a few of them out that i am less prepared for. in the middle of a rebuild on my other boat at the same time.