I need to replace both cables in my cat 30 it has a universal 25 and wanted to know how easy this is to do or should I hire someone to do it?
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We have absolutely NO idea
about how qualified you are, so how can we answer that question?
Seriously, Frank, we don't know if you know one end of a screwdriver from the other or if you are a mechanic or an astrophysicist. Much of it depends on your size, too, no kidding. There are some tight spaces to work around, through, and over and under. That said, if someone else can do it for you, you'd learn a lot more by doing it yourself. Think of it as a safety issue - you do it, you know it's done right. Many of us here have had work done on our boats, and end up feeling that the work was done TO our boats and had to go back and redo it properly ourselves. You can get plenty of help here or on your boat's Association website to learn about the right materials to purchase and the tools you'll need. Your boat, your choice.
about how qualified you are, so how can we answer that question?
Seriously, Frank, we don't know if you know one end of a screwdriver from the other or if you are a mechanic or an astrophysicist. Much of it depends on your size, too, no kidding. There are some tight spaces to work around, through, and over and under. That said, if someone else can do it for you, you'd learn a lot more by doing it yourself. Think of it as a safety issue - you do it, you know it's done right. Many of us here have had work done on our boats, and end up feeling that the work was done TO our boats and had to go back and redo it properly ourselves. You can get plenty of help here or on your boat's Association website to learn about the right materials to purchase and the tools you'll need. Your boat, your choice.Are you sure
that you need to replace them? Are they mounted on the pedistal, are they stiff moving, are they broken? I ask this because when we bought our 84 C30, the surveyour said I needed to replace the cables because they were stiff operating and he cautioned that they may break at the wrong time. Short story, the cables were fine, it was the delrin bushing in the levels at the pedistal. Got them from Edson, replaced and they work great.
that you need to replace them? Are they mounted on the pedistal, are they stiff moving, are they broken? I ask this because when we bought our 84 C30, the surveyour said I needed to replace the cables because they were stiff operating and he cautioned that they may break at the wrong time. Short story, the cables were fine, it was the delrin bushing in the levels at the pedistal. Got them from Edson, replaced and they work great.
I did it
I had a C30 about two years ago. This was my first boat and I had zero previous experience. The surveyor did a slap-dash job and after buying the boat I found that both cables had to be replaced. I had a little experience doing repair work on my cars when I was younger; that was all. It's pretty intuitive replacing both cables. I did a lot of things wrong; had to go back and figure out what I'd done wrong. If I were to do it again, I'd maybe take some digital photos of how the cables attach, just because I didn't really remember. Only trick: Be sure to securely attack a strong piece of line to one end of the cable as you pull it through. That way, you can pull the new cable back through. Unless you've got enough money to pay somebody else to do all your repairs, I say go for it. If you start with the assumption that you can figure it out, you can.
I had a C30 about two years ago. This was my first boat and I had zero previous experience. The surveyor did a slap-dash job and after buying the boat I found that both cables had to be replaced. I had a little experience doing repair work on my cars when I was younger; that was all. It's pretty intuitive replacing both cables. I did a lot of things wrong; had to go back and figure out what I'd done wrong. If I were to do it again, I'd maybe take some digital photos of how the cables attach, just because I didn't really remember. Only trick: Be sure to securely attack a strong piece of line to one end of the cable as you pull it through. That way, you can pull the new cable back through. Unless you've got enough money to pay somebody else to do all your repairs, I say go for it. If you start with the assumption that you can figure it out, you can.
Shifter Parts
Frank, I will assume your pedestal steering is provided by Edson. You can go online and Edson has a great parts catalog and blow up schematics of the lever configuration and replacement parts. I have an issue with my shifter as well and took off the binnacle compass to access the lever area. I lubricated the parts as a temporary fix, but know that the delrin bushing requires replacement. This R&R fix I will undertake this spring. I recall several threads here last year about the bushing replacement. Sooner or later they seem to wear as they take the brunt of the tension in the cable. Edson is a great source of info. at this point. Bob '88 Mark II
Frank, I will assume your pedestal steering is provided by Edson. You can go online and Edson has a great parts catalog and blow up schematics of the lever configuration and replacement parts. I have an issue with my shifter as well and took off the binnacle compass to access the lever area. I lubricated the parts as a temporary fix, but know that the delrin bushing requires replacement. This R&R fix I will undertake this spring. I recall several threads here last year about the bushing replacement. Sooner or later they seem to wear as they take the brunt of the tension in the cable. Edson is a great source of info. at this point. Bob '88 Mark II
First thing
after you have removed the compass, remove the clevis pin from the lever/cable. Be sure to stuff a rag into the pedistal in case you drop parts. Next move the lever back and forth, if it is stiff, most likely the bushing, if it moves freely then suspect the cables. Next move the cable up and down, if it moves freely in the sheath, you don't need to replace the cable, if stiff you may be able to lubricate as Bob said. If you do need to replace the cables, John said it, tie a strong string on the old cable when removing. Since I did not replace mine, I would say to remove the cables up from the pedistal, there is a bracket holding the shift and throttle cables together about half way down the pedistal.
after you have removed the compass, remove the clevis pin from the lever/cable. Be sure to stuff a rag into the pedistal in case you drop parts. Next move the lever back and forth, if it is stiff, most likely the bushing, if it moves freely then suspect the cables. Next move the cable up and down, if it moves freely in the sheath, you don't need to replace the cable, if stiff you may be able to lubricate as Bob said. If you do need to replace the cables, John said it, tie a strong string on the old cable when removing. Since I did not replace mine, I would say to remove the cables up from the pedistal, there is a bracket holding the shift and throttle cables together about half way down the pedistal.
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