Baller BrianKennedy91 Posted March 28, 2020 Baller Share Posted March 28, 2020 Noticed the steering getting tight on 91 prostar 190. Automatically assumed it needed a new steering cable. Purchased new one from Discount Onboard Marine and installed it. Still same issue with new cable. Removed cable from rudder and checked the rudder and it turned freely as it should. Next removed the helm and disassembled it to check gears for issues and found none. In fact I was surprised that the year old gears looked like brand new so I removed what looked like some old and hardened grease then reassembled and installed back on boat. Boat has a tilt wheel so I checked the universal in the tilt for problems prior to installing the gearbox and found no issues. So now I inserted the steering cable through the tube that attaches to the floor right in front of the rudder and bolted to rudder and checked the steering again and it is still tight with more friction than it should have. So as I turn the steering wheel back and forth watching the rudder and cable function I started to question the possibility that it could be an issue with the type of grease I have used over the years to grease the tube that holds the cable. Seems like everything moves smoothly but seems to have a “tacky” feeling like the grease I’ve been using in the tube is to thick. I will admit I have always just grabbed the grease gun and greased the cable with cheap wheel bearing grease. At this point I’m considering trying to wipe and clean all grease from the cable and tube and possibly the helm and spraying it with some slick silicone just to test and see if it helps. To more understand what I’m attempting to gain that I just can’t get back to. We have always used this boat for 3 event skiing so a lot of turning around picking up trickers and rudder is ground and has a lot of torque for slalom driving. I used to be able spin the wheel with one finger all day long picking up trickers and in the slalom course if you let go of the wheel it would immediately throw the boat in a hard right turn due to the added torque I ground on the rudder. Now I want to point out that the steering moves properly that to the normal driver that is used to steering a runabout on a public lake or to a person that understands simple mechanics of gears and the difference in something working and Something that about to be an issue. Now you have to use plenty of effort to turn the wheel and if you let go of the wheel going straight Down the lake it continues straight as if there was no torque on the rudder. To a person used to driving a really free turning 3 event boat I just can’t seem to get it back where it used be. Again, I’m wondering if the grease I’m using is what is causing the problem. Anyone else had any experience with this type of issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BraceMaker Posted March 28, 2020 Baller Share Posted March 28, 2020 Is it tight when you have it in the tube but unbolted from the rudder? I'd inspect the support that holds the tube to see if its sagging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BrianKennedy91 Posted March 28, 2020 Author Baller Share Posted March 28, 2020 I took the tube loose from the bracket ant put it on the cable and slid it back and forth on the cable just as it would move through it when everything is assembled and functioning during operation. When I hold the cable and slide the tube over the steering cable by hand it seems to have more friction than it should and my gut says it feels and sounds like the grease is to thick or the wrong kind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BraceMaker Posted March 28, 2020 Baller Share Posted March 28, 2020 Good place to start spray it out with brake cleaner and run a 12 gauge nylon brush through it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ski_Dad Posted March 28, 2020 Baller Share Posted March 28, 2020 i just did my cable last summer - clean that tub really good and just coat the cable end with some white lithium grease (it's in a can) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ RichardDoane Posted March 28, 2020 Baller_ Share Posted March 28, 2020 Too much grease is not your friend, in both the tube and the rudder housing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BrianKennedy91 Posted March 28, 2020 Author Baller Share Posted March 28, 2020 Any suggestions on best type of grease for this application? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller eleeski Posted March 29, 2020 Baller Share Posted March 29, 2020 The rudder box can wear causing both tightness of the steering and looseness (rattling and heading instability). If you're cheap, rotate the rudder box 90 degrees and you can get a bit more life out of it. A new rudder and box is the proper fix. Grease can get hard and stiff. WD40 or Automatic Transmission Fluid will temporarily loosen things. Pull the rudder out and clean it with any solvent (WD40 works) if it's really gummed up. The clean shaft will show the wear if it's there. Before you try any hard work, milk it with WD40 and try it. Maybe you have to squirt it every couple weeks. OK. Good luck, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rimodico Posted March 30, 2020 Baller Share Posted March 30, 2020 Had sililar issues with 2001 PS190; I figured I'd change the cable again after 1 year of use, bought it also with SKIDIM; I'm thinking cable was not good. Problem solved Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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