How to Change the Steering Cable on a Force Outboard

Like it or not, the steering cable on your Force outboard is exposed to water, the oxygen in the air and maybe salt -- everything that encourages corrosion. Corrosion means you need to change the steering cable. When you change the steering cable, not only should you remove the old corrosion, but you should also prepare the cable for its exposure to the elements that have caused the corrosion. Because the steering cable is exposed to the elements throughout the boating season, make the steering cable change part of the engine's winter maintenance.This allows you to begin the season with a freshly maintained cable.

Instructions

    • 1

      Disconnect the motor's connecting arm from the cable end, using an adjustable wrench to remove the 1/2-inch nut. Loosen the 1-inch hexagonal nut on the starboard side of the motor's tilt tube.

    • 2

      Spray a moisture-excluding, penetrating lubricant into the tilt tube to loosen any corrosion in the tube. After the spray lubricant does its job, pull the cable from the motor's tilt tube.

    • 3

      Attach the new cable to the old cable -- you can tape the helm connection of the new cable to the motor connection of the old helm cable with duct tape. Pull the old cable -- and the new cable -- toward the bow of the boat, through the passageways and brackets that hold the old cable.

    • 4

      Pull the helm-end of the new cable to its connection on the helm. Connect the cable sheath to the helm -- it usually snaps into place -- and insert a new cotter pin through the cable-end and the helm, to secure the cable in place.

    • 5

      Move to the stern of the boat. Apply a coat of waterproof white marine grease to the end of the cable. Push the cable through the motor's tilt tube.

    • 6

      Pull the cable end to the motor's connecting arm, without pulling any additional slack in the cable. Push the cable end onto the connecting arm. Secure the cable with the lock nut, using a torque wrench to tighten the nuts to 20 foot-pounds.

    • 7

      Thread the 1-inch hexagonal nut onto the starboard side of the tilt tube to secure the motor-end of the cable sheath. Tighten the nut with an adjustable wrench.