2001 Sea Doo Challenger hard to steer

[ChallengedRalph]

Out on the water today for the first time, the steering wheel was very hard to turn.
This was happening on the trailer when I got the boat and I thought.....maybe when in the water it will get better, but it didn't. The linkage at the jet nozzles look fine and we'll greased. Could this be the steering cable? My bicep have grown 2" today.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Out on the water today for the first time, the steering wheel was very hard to turn.
This was happening on the trailer when I got the boat and I thought.....maybe when in the water it will get better, but it didn't. The linkage at the jet nozzles look fine and we'll greased. Could this be the steering cable? My bicep have grown 2" today.

Probably rust within the steering cable.

To isolate it out, unbolt the nozzle from the cable. I you can move the nozzle easily, the unbolt the steering wheel from the cable. If the wheel moves easy, issue is in the cable..

 

[racerxxx]

It's probably the nozzle pivot points. Like Coastie said, disconnect the steering cable and pivot the nozzles. You should be able to do it with just a few fingers on one hand on one nozzle. I'll see if I can find a thread I replied to before on what to do.

 

[racerxxx]

OK, here goes.....


Disconnect the steering cable, see if it operates smooth, if so its not your cable. I can almost guarantee it is the pivot points for the nozzles. There are plastic bushings that will squeeze everything tight. Remove the nozzle, carefully press the bushings out, clean up the holes in the nozzle, put the bushings back in and try it again. Sand the holes with sand paper, DON'T USE A FILE OR DRILL BIT! Roll a piece of sand paper round. Make it so the bushings just press in with your fingers. You should be able to turn the nozzle with very little resistance.

On mine I actually had to use a reamer on the ID if the plastic bushing they were squeezing the metal pivot sleeve so tight, so that is another alternative. You could also sand that if needed, carefully.

http://www.seadooforum.com/showthre...stiff-steering&p=402697&viewfull=1#post402697

 

[ChallengedRalph]

Thanks guys, awesome suggestions. Had to work today but I'll try the above tomorrow. I'll let you guys know how it went for others that may view this thread......

 

[ChallengedRalph]

Hi guys, tried both of your suggestions. Disconnected the nozzles they moved freely, disconnected the steering wheel it moved freely.......It was the cable.....
Thanks to both of you for your suggestions.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Just a matter of isolating it out in this case. Simple to diagnose. Not so simple to fix. Enjoy ,,

 

[racerxxx]

Tie a string to the old cable before you remove it. It will make it easy to pull the new one thru the same areas as before.

Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk

 

[ChallengedRalph]

Should have the cable tomorrow.....
Thanks Coastiejoe I'll try and enjoy......lol
Racerxxx that's a great idea with the string, for sure I'll try that.
Thanks again guys.