What's Up fellow OSO'rs. Here is my problem and I am looking for some other thoughts than my own. I have a 1997 Baja Hammer, mid 70's GPS, that is doing some chine walking. It is also doing alot of bow steering at idle speeds. I want to tighten up the steering for safety. The steering wheel has about 1 1/2" play, while the Teleflex Safe-T QC Peformance Single Helm unit has about 3/8" play with the cable disconnected. When I move the cable separate of the helm, the OD almost moves instantaneous. I have also checked the square shift pin on top of the gimbal housing, steering cable & linkage. Everything Is good to go. Is that enough to warrant changing the helm unit?

I have talked to the tech reps at Teleflex, and they are clueless!!! They could not give me a dimension when new, or when to replace. They could not even tell me what kind of gears are inside of the sealed unit. I know that I need Hydraulic steering, but the boat doesn't call for it. In a few years, I will be trading up; so I will never recoup the money. That is why I am trying to tighten the factory steering.

A little about my background. I am an airplane mechanic that works on these exact cables on thrust reversers all of the time. I am also very meticulous in everything that I do. my motto is "Do it right the first time".

Thanks for your help!!!

1997 Baja BOSS Hammer, 454 Magnum (385hp), Bravo 1, Mirage Plus 23P, 78mph Speedo, 72 mph GPS

I have hyd. on my cat, but have dealt with this many times before. I would replace the cable, I have had one of these break on my Ski Nautique. That much play in my unscientific opinion is too much. Replacing the cable will be enough, I don't know what happens in there, a lot of times the cable looks fine, but you get the play. I still think the cable is the problem, but if it was me and if I had the space, I would use one of Teleflex's rack and pinion helms and cables. Not really expensive and it works better and more precisely.

I would not bother repairing that helm. Save your money and go for full dual ram hydraulic. You wont believe the difference.