“Normal” to Extreme hard steering

[Seabee]

QQ, related to the many steering cable issue postings already on here.

Does the hard steering become gradual? I ask because I have a new to me 2020 195s and it went from what I assumed as normal to extremely difficult. I was a good 8 miles from home on the intracoastal and got a really good Golds Gym worthy arm workout trying to get it home. We had spent the day tubing. It all seemed fine. Then all of a sudden it was not.

Did the whole pressurized lube thing this AM, took about foot and a half of gear oil at about 60-80 psi (bicycle pump method) before it wouldn’t take anymore. Maybe a 10% improvement.

The nozzle swung freely back and forth once disconnected so I don’t believe I hit anything.

Just seems odd to go from two extremes all of a sudden. Boat was unused last year based on the registration decal. Test drive was fine. Boat launch to my dock was fine. First day out and this happened. Thanks!

 

[anmut]

Disconnect the keel rudder connector rod (both rods if you have cobra fins) but keep the steering cables attached, one at a time. Then move the nozzle with the attached cable, both at the back of the boat and at the wheel. That should give you enough feedback to determine if it's cable related or not. If it is, cables are sold as a set, so you'll replace two of them anyway.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

If you disconnect the cable from the nozzle and the nozzle and rudder move easily how does the helm feel when you turn the steering wheel with it free from the nozzle if it is dragging and resisting you probably need a new cable.

 

[Seabee]

If you disconnect the cable from the nozzle and the nozzle and rudder move easily how does the helm feel when you turn the steering wheel with it free from the nozzle if it is dragging and resisting you probably need a new cable.

Yes, still hard with it disconnected. I would turn the wheel every few minutes while I pumped the lube in. This is what I suspected so will call my local service center. Thanks!

 

[anmut]

Yes, still hard with it disconnected. I would turn the wheel every few minutes while I pumped the lube in. This is what I suspected so will call my local service center. Thanks!

Just for giggles, and because it happened so suddenly and randomly, I would poke your head into captains helm compartment behind the steering wheel and make sure someone didn't put a bag or cooler over your steering cables and they got kinked or displaced enough to cause the issue.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

Yes, still hard with it disconnected. I would turn the wheel every few minutes while I pumped the lube in. This is what I suspected so will call my local service center. Thanks!

Yes the cable is probably bad however if you can get someone to turn the wheel constantly while you pump in grease to the cable you may see it loosen up although forcing in some penetrating oil first would probably speed up the process.

 

[Neutron]

You definitely have a bad spot in the cable from probably water intrusion and it sat gor some time unused. Time for a new cable