2010 Challenger tight steering...

[gb387]

I recently bought a 2010 challenger with 30 hours on the engines so its done a lot of sitting around. The steering functions but its not as smooth as I think it should be and when its out of the water it makes a loud clicking noise. It seems to be coming from the rear of the boat, hard to tell as it echos through the hull. It doesn't seem to be the jet nozzles, the seem free and have slight play in the bushings. Has anyone had this issue and what can I do to correct it if its in the cable. I have been trying to lube the cable with PB blaster and sea doo lube but I would guess the cable is sealed from water and won't take the lubricant. Any suggestions to try and repair the issue before a spend nearly 400 on a steering cable? Should the steering be as smooth as my RXPX??

Thanks!

 

[go_panthers]

Looking at your other posts, it looks like you have a Challenger 210. That model has rack and pinion steering. The first think I would do is check the rack, which is attached to the steering wheel with four upward-facing bolts. If it is loose, that could be the clicking you hear. If it's not lubricated, I would think it would make some noise, as well.

 

[gb387]

Looking at your other posts, it looks like you have a Challenger 210. That model has rack and pinion steering. The first think I would do is check the rack, which is attached to the steering wheel with four upward-facing bolts. If it is loose, that could be the clicking you hear. If it's not lubricated, I would think it would make some noise, as well.

Sorry, yes it's a 2010 210 challenger, looks exactly like the one in your avatar color in all.... I have thought about taking the rack loose, might be worth a try. I guess it's possible the rack needs some grease. I would assume the steering should be nice and smooth, correct?

 

[go_panthers]

it should feel about the same going ether direction, and the wheel should turn relatively easily out of the water. In the water, it will be a little firmer, due to the forces involved.

 

[gb387]

it should feel about the same going ether direction, and the wheel should turn relatively easily out of the water. In the water, it will be a little firmer, due to the forces involved.

Took the rack apart and greased it. Did not seem to help, my next step is disconnect the steering cable from the jets and try and get some lube in the cable. Anyone else have thoughts? I may end up just dealing with it and replace the cable if it gets worse.

 

[go_panthers]

There are videos online about how to pump lube into boat control cables. Most involve air pressure, unless you remove the cable and use gravity. I tried the gravity method by hanging the rack up under the helm and spraying a crap load of seadoo lube into the rack, assuming that some would get drawn down the cable. I've not had stiff steering, but. I like tinkering on the boat and felt this could be some preventative maintenance.

It had occurred to me to disconnect the cable from the nozzle and slip my shop vac hose over the cable and repeat the above procedure to see if the negative pressure would draw more lube I to the cable. May try that when I winterize.

 

[gb387]

There are videos online about how to pump lube into boat control cables. Most involve air pressure, unless you remove the cable and use gravity. I tried the gravity method by hanging the rack up under the helm and spraying a crap load of seadoo lube into the rack, assuming that some would get drawn down the cable. I've not had stiff steering, but. I like tinkering on the boat and felt this could be some preventative maintenance.

It had occurred to me to disconnect the cable from the nozzle and slip my shop vac hose over the cable and repeat the above procedure to see if the negative pressure would draw more lube I to the cable. May try that when I winterize.

Seems rather common based on searching, hard to belive what looks like stainless steel would corrode. I'm going to see if I can lube the cable as a last ditch effort. I will post back my results.

 

[gb387]

Seems rather common based on searching, hard to belive what looks like stainless steel would corrode. I'm going to see if I can lube the cable as a last ditch effort. I will post back my results.

Well I think I've heard everything now. I attached some clear tubing over the steering rod and slid it as close to the hull as I could. I filled the tube with Sea Doo lube applied no more than 35psi to the tube and held the pressure. I had the tube pressurized for a few hours then I let the tube sit overnight. All seemed to be a waste of time but now I know that method will not cure this problem. So on to a new cable sometime in the future. We can deal with it for now.

 

[rcguy]

Seems rather common based on searching, hard to belive what looks like stainless steel would corrode. I'm going to see if I can lube the cable as a last ditch effort. I will post back my results.

Cheap Chinese stainless steel does corrode.