Problem: Anybody know if you can lube a steering cable. The boat I just bought steering is real tight. Like I can't turn it more than an inch each way. I've replaced a cable before but...

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Anybody know if you can lube a steering cable. The boat I just bought steering is real tight. Like I can't turn it more than an inch each way. I've replaced a cable before but if I don't have to it would be good.

BILLBYRD1 Loc: Prattville Al

Mine had a grease fitting at/in front on the engine the cable ran through. You might be able to add grease on the side where the steering rod runs through.

Ne. fisherman Loc: Central Nebraska Arnold

I have actually pulled the cable out of the liner and cleaned it up and applied lithium grease and put it back in. I don’t know if that is a possibility but it works on my Crestliner.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Have you tried anything FT?

Doug Lemmon Loc: Rochester Mills, PA

Not sure if this will help, but I lube shift cables this way.

Disconnect the forward end of the cable. Slide a length of rubber hose over the cable log enough to be clamped onto the outer jacket and fully cover the inner cable. (2' is usually more than enough) Holding the hose vertically, fill with lubricating oil. I usually use synthetic motor oil. Push a schrader fitting (tire valve fitting) into the end of the hose and clamp. Add air pressure while still holding the hose vertical and the air pressure will force the oil through the cable. Keep a pan under the other end to catch the gunk that comes out with it.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Doug Lemmon wrote:

Not sure if this will help, but I lube shift cable... (show quote)

Thanks for the idea. I'll see if I can get the kind of access without removing the cable from the boat.

audigger53 Loc: Severn, MD

Best light weight grease is Powered graphite mixed into Vaseline Petroleum Jelly. The Vaseline is just the carrier for the powered graphite. Learned that as a boy from my Dad for bike wheel bearings. Slicker than Goose ****,and really lasts a long time. Told that to some Skate Boarders years back and it worked even better than the "Special Grease" that they had been buying. Just as good or better and lasted much longer.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

audigger53 wrote:

Best light weight grease is Powered graphite mixed into Vaseline Petroleum Jelly. The Vaseline is just the carrier for the powered graphite. Learned that as a boy from my Dad for bike wheel bearings. Slicker than Goose ****,and really lasts a long time. Told that to some Skate Boarders years back and it worked even better than the "Special Grease" that they had been buying. Just as good or better and lasted much longer.

Thanks fir the advice and the phone call.