Please Help: Do I Need A Steering Cable??
 

Hello everyone, first post here I really hope you guys can help..
The Steering on my 1999 Shabah 182 has become incredibly difficult. Out of the water it isnt too difficult to turn but in the water even at almost idling speed it is very very hard to turn. I have read around on here a bit and it looks like there could be a few different problems. Any advice will help at this point!!!

Re: Please Help: Do I Need A Steering Cable??
 

have you checked your power steering fluid level, and belt tension

Re: Please Help: Do I Need A Steering Cable??
 

The fluid is good but I am not familiar with how to check the belt tension?? Sorry I'm pretty new to this

Re: Please Help: Do I Need A Steering Cable??
 

It would help if you tell us what motor have you got.
but as a rule there should be about a 1/4 inch belt deflction on the 3.0L and 1/2 inch on the V6 and V8's
it may help if you bleed the system by running the engine and doing several lock to lock turns.

Re: Please Help: Do I Need A Steering Cable??
 

Oh yes, I have a 3.0L Ill check the tension and try bleeding it. Is there a way to know for sure (or hopefully rule out) if I need a new cable?

Re: Please Help: Do I Need A Steering Cable??
 

you could disconnect the cable at the motor end and try the wheel...

Re: Please Help: Do I Need A Steering Cable??
 

The bottom line about steering cables is this.

99% have two 90 degree bends in them. The tighter the bends (typically the smaller the boat the tighter the bend) the quicker they wear out. 90 % of hard steering is due to wear at the bends of the steering cable. The other 10% is due to several other issues.

The cables are designed to fail after time. There is no lubrication abilities so they are what they are.

If you remove the clevis pin at the cable end at the transom assembly where the steering cable ends and the outdrive moves easily left and right the it is usually the cable.

I have never seen a power steering unit cause hard steering (thats just me). I have seen them cause steering issues but not consistant hard steering. Some cable can last many years. Some last very few.

Have a look at this link at boatfix.com for diagrams & instructions regarding your steering cable.