Replacing a Control Cable

[Allen]

I have to replace the gear changing control cable in my Edson Pedestal. Edson International gives instructions but there is no way once I release the cable holder and bring both throttle and gear cables to the same side that the cable holder can be pulled up past the steering wheel shaft. The cable holder is to large to pass by the shaft so I can release the damaged cable. I have one of 2 options:Try and remove the steering shaft or disassemble the whole pedestal and pully/chain system and pull the cable out through the bottom. I really do not want to take the pedestal apart. Has anyone ever removed the shaft? How do you do that?Allen

 

[Doug B.]

did it last weekend

We had to replace both old and sticky cables on our 33.5 which had the standard chain/cable Edson system. The problem is where the cables go out the bottom of the pedastal and into the vessel. The bend is to sever to pull them up through. The best option is to loosen the cables at the rotory wheel (big pully attached to the rudder post)and actually take your pedastal off the floor of the cockpit. As opposed to taking your your shaft, as this may still not solve the problem. Then you can work from the bottom. Kind of tricky getting upper cable clamp to align but shouldn't take more than 5 minutes to get that bolt through the hole in the pedistal again. Two things to consider: buy the cables from hunter marine in Alachua Fl. Ask for mike in retail sales. They will cost $17.oo not $58.00 from Edson. Also, if your getting into the job, replace trans and throttle. Otherwise you will be doing it again in a year or so instead of 10. Any questions...my email is DougBurgy@aol.com.Good sailing.

 

[Paul Akers]

Me too!

I had mine done once on vacation. Cable snapped just as I entered the slip (thank God!). The mechanic detached the cables to the quadrant and then removed the pedestal from the deck so he could lay it down to work on it. This also provided the slack to handle the cables. He was an experienced guy and it took him an hours' labor. Judging from what I saw, I'll have the yard do it. It'll be worth it.

 

[Allen]

I was afraid you would say that!

So much for believing Edson when they said it would fit through the top. I will remove the base. In order to get the clamp back into the hole, I tied a small wire to it before pushing it into the column. Getting it back in only took 15 seconds. Somehow I believe reassembling the steering column will take longer than that. Thanks for the confirmation.Allen

 

[Dave Condon]

Cables

I assume you are speaking about the gear and throttle cables. If they are getting hard to shift, first try lubricating them wiht WD-40 which I have done in the past. If replacing them is the only way, essentially, you are looking at the 3300 series cables that you can get anywhere. Morse and Teleflex makes the cables. I use the Teleplex or the black covered cables as they are easier to bend and install on pedestal steering while putting the controls on the pedestal from outboatd engines for example the Hunter 260. The suggestion of tying a leader line to the cable while pulling the old one out is good. I use a long small tube to put the cable through the pedestal steering.