Solved those steering issues

[Sandusky]

I just returned from installing a new steering cable on my 2001 26X, and am quite shocked. The steering turns so freely that you can use a finger! Even
with the engine and both rudders engaged! Never was the steering this easy.
When I bought the boat it was 6 months old, and the steering had a bit of
resistance, so I accepted the effort required as normal. It progressively
got tougher, and it was the limited range of travel that caused me to seek
out the problem.

Now with $75 + shipping for the cable and less than 2 hours invested (that
includes diagnosing the problem) I have a boat that my boys love to sail.
Even my 4 yr old can spin the wheel lock to lock. Docking is much easier
now, too.

Here's the part I used:
Rack And Pinion Cable Assembly (6325-6300507) - Length: 10ft. (2 feet longer
than the original)

and the link to the page is here

To check the cable

1. Remove the screws from the side pedestal cover
2. Remove the 2 bolts at the lower end of the rack
3. Turn the wheel slowly and as the cable comes out 2 pieces of metal will
fall from the rack (these hold the cable in place so you'll need them; place
one on each side of the cable when reinstalling)
4. Disconnect the cable from the rudder assembly.
5. Push the cable through with your finger. If you cannot; replace it.
"Cables Have 8-1/4" Of Travel" according to Detmar

Reverse the order to reinstall


Anthony
Ohio

[ESPERANZA]

Do you think this cable will fit all Mac X model years?

[Timm Miller]

Teleflex SS141-10 ....... the best place I have found so far is www.surplusunlimited.com

[dclark]

Is that just the cable and not the helm that you bought from amazon? You just used you existing helm? How does that compare to what Timm is recommending?

Do you think this cable will fit all Mac X model years?

I think it depends on whether you have the rack and pinion or the rotary. I'm not sure when they changed.

[Doug Faigel]

I used the teleflex on my 2001 MacX. The hardest parts were getting the wheel off and drilling the holes for the new parts. I'm not very handy and so it took me about 4 hours to do the job. Did it on the water in her slip.

Huge difference in steerability. Great Mod! Great advice from this board when I did it!

Doug

[Frank C]

Timm,
I went to the webpage you linked, but I'm confused.

The 141 "Rack System" sells for $120, including cable, rack & hub.
There are two different "cable only" parts, for about $90 to $100.
(Apparently the Detmar cable is $15 to 25 less than a Teleflex.)

Hence, the complete Teleflex rack/hub system, with new cable, costs only 20 bucks more that the cable alone? I've been lucky so far with my model 2000, fingertip wheeling, but for that price diff, I think I'd just replace the whole thing. Am I reading correctly?

[Timm Miller]

Get the whole thing...price has gone up somewhat since I replaced mine but once you install it, you'll see by the way it installs, it is a better unit.

[Jack O'Brien]

Frank:

If you replace Detmar rack & pinion with Teleflex be warned the Teleflex rack is longer and needs to mount lower in the pedestal or it will not fit. No problem really as the Teleflex needs a larger hole for the helm. Just measure carefully and make the larger helm hole lower than the original hole. On my 2000 X I made the TOP of the new hole even with the top of the old hole. But given MacGregor's penchant for variation, measure yours as it may be different.

[Sandusky]

ESPERANZA,

This cable is for the 26x with rack and pinion. I used a 2 foot longer cable to make a nicer curve through the aft cabin, where the cable is tied up out of the way.

dclark,

My helm unit was fine so I only replaced the cable. (and the result is outstanding)

Fellow owners,
I never imagined the detmar system would perform so well. I thought that I would have to replace the entire system to get decent steering. So I suffered with what I had. I was wrong, a simple repair that I could have done years ago to make sailing, and docking, that much easier.

Anthony
Ohio

[dclark]

Timm,
I went to the webpage you linked, but I'm confused.

The 141 "Rack System" sells for $120, including cable, rack & hub.
There are two different "cable only" parts, for about $90 to $100.
(Apparently the Detmar cable is $15 to 25 less than a Teleflex.)

Hence, the complete Teleflex rack/hub system, with new cable, costs only 20 bucks more that the cable alone? I've been lucky so far with my model 2000, fingertip wheeling, but for that price diff, I think I'd just replace the whole thing. Am I reading correctly?

Frank, believe it or not I think that is true. when I read your post it reminded me...When my first cable broke and before all these posts, I took it down to Boat US where they ordered a new one for me. Looking up the price he did say I could just buy the cable, but the whole thing was only about $30 more. I bought the whole thing. oddly enough, if I had it to do again, I'd have just bought the cable. Replacing the helm piece turned into a big pain as it was slightly larger. In the end I had a helm that was no better that I paid an extra $30 and Saturday of my time for when all I really needed was a cable.

[ESPERANZA]

Thanks, Anthony...

[dclark]

Just ordered on per Timm, just to see what he's been talking about all these years. Total from surplusunlimited with shipping was $132.63. about $30 less then the "cheaper" one I bought from Boat US two years ago.