I have either broken the steering cable or stripped out the steering box on my '93 Key West CC I have an Evinrude 70 on it, need some tips from the DYI shad tree mechanics on here. I have heard 1/2 day job but got to remove motor. Any advice appreciated.
Update also it clicks when I turn the wheel but motor doesn’t turn.
95 1720 Key West 70Evinrude
It’s not a difficult job, but yes, I had to remove the motor to get that end of the cable to feed through. I rented an engine hoist from SunBelt rental.
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sounds a little like pinion on s-wheel shaft worn also cable teeth
worn off . At age of unit would consider replacing cable assembly
and drive; see no need to remove motor IMO. Also remove cable from motor and check freedom of motor turning. lube, rust, cracked cable
covering, etc, etc…
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If you have enough room, you do not have to jack the motor. Go on line to see how to measure for the new assembly. The steering rod goes through a circular section on your motor. A socket extension should fit right in the hole and with tapping of a hammer you can remove it. Follow directions to install new unit.
My guess is the arm became gunned up and someone overturned the wheel and stripped the gears resulting in no motor movement. Make it your job to degrease it from time to time and lub. On a boat with the same steering I used skateboard lub. No gunk.
big dog
Don"t cut any corners! Go for new cable and steering box. The old one seemed to last 12 years which is good if always used in salt water! Its an easy do it yourself project if it’s not all rusted up, go ahead and use a hacksaw on it.
steering gear box is stripped, but the usual cause for the gear box to strip is the cable is seized at the motor.
you need a new cable and helm.
on the 1720 keywest you normally have to lift the motor from the transom to get the cable out of the motor.
a strudy tree and a come-along will handle that job just fine.
you also need a cordless drill and a 12ga shotgun bore cleaning kit with the wire brush.
use that to completely clean the tube on the motor before you install the new steering
make sure to put new sealant around the mounting bolts before you re-install
What Chris said. Frozen cable and stripped gears in the steering head. Half a day job for both usually. Not complicated. Unless it’s a bad day and stuff just wants to act up. Then it might be a whole day job.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
When I had the steering on my 90hp yamaha freeze up, I took it to Chs marine. They replaced the cable and steering gear box and now it steers like power steering! It was worth the expense to have the professionals do it!
What Sea Tonic said = pro tip. On the other hand, you can tow it to Cracker Larry’s, let him fix it, tell some lies, drink his beer, eat dinner with him, and bring home a truckload of his garden veggies!
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Thanks for all the help, I just bought a house and this happened so i will probably try to fix on my on. With the advice rec’d here I am a head of the game. Thanks
95 1720 Key West 70Evinrude
quote:
On the other hand, you can tow it to Cracker Larry's, let him fix it, tell some lies, drink his beer, eat dinner
Sure enough. If you can’t fix it and can’t afford for it to be fixed, bring it to me. I’ll help you change it out. No problem. You bring the beer, I’m running low. 
When you buy the new steering head, get the NFB model.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
Larry, how much beer will it cost to rebuild trannys on my port 5.7
That’s above my experience level and pay grade. Steering cable no problem. You don’t want me working on those tranny’s, even for free 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
I feel your pain, I broke some teeth off of the gear in my steering box last week. I said the hell with it and ordered a hydraulic steering kit, now it can’t get here fast enough.
Cracker Larry your a good man. What ya drinkin just in case?
95 1720 Key West 70Evinrude
Just had mine done on my 1720, cost me $325 to replace the cable. I didn’t want to try it myself.
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Key West 1720
Steering cable replacement is a piece of cake (on mine it was). Did it for under $100. Not sure about the steering box.
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I want to give a shout out to Chris and his staff at Charleston Marine. They got me back up and running again. I was going to do it myself, but decided to leave it to the Pros. Once again Thanks.
95 1720 Key West 70Evinrude
glad to help
that thing was seized in the motor and required a bit more persuasion than normal.
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