www.iFourWinns.com

Well, I just picked this boat up, and I knew this was an issue but it didn't seem like it would be impossible to fix. I tried searching around for an answer to this question, but didn't come up with much.

The steering wheel on the boat (95 Freedom) has a jiggle which I assume is play in the cable. Firstly, how do I adjust this out? The second issue is that the steering wheel has play in the other dimension, as though a bushing in the actual steering wheel is worn out, so the wheel sort of rocks around. Is this a normal wear issue, is there some nut to tighten that just may be loose, or is this an "impossible" thing to fix?

Thanks for any help on the subject.

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1995 Four Winns Freedom 170
4.3-GL, Volvo SX

Anyone?

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1995 Four Winns Freedom 170
4.3-GL, Volvo SX

Do both the conditions you describe happen at idle or when underway? Do they happen in gear, in neutral or when first put into gear? Do you most often boat in a lake or river with current? Have you removed the steering wheel and inspected the mount? Is the steering cable original?

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thanks for the reply, Cap'n Morgan.

The conditions I describe happen whether the boat is on or off, whether I am moving or not, whether I am in the water or not, whether I am in gear or not. I have used the boat only in a lake.

I am sure the feeling I am experiencing is slack in the cable... the motion never makes it down to the outdrive, so to speak, it's somewhere within the end couplings of the cable. I have dis-assembled the rotor at the steering wheel, the play is not in the cable at that end, nor is it in the steering wheel itself.

The cable is original, however, it appears to be rust-free and well-lubed, and moves smoothly.

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1995 Four Winns Freedom 170
4.3-GL, Volvo SX

Hmmmm, that is a mystery to me. The reason I asked so many questions, is that you can get similar conditions you describe in a current, or when pulling anchor in wavy conditions, but not when the boat is on land and not even running. Cables are relatively cheap, and easy to install. You might just replace the cable and see if that takes care of it. It might just be stretched out. Otherwise, I don't know what to suggest. Best of luck to you.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Thanks for the help.

My main problem is probably a lack of education on how/where to look. I saw the connection for the cable at the steering wheel end, but I can't see far enough back into the transom area to see where the cable actually comes out of the housing to, I assume, some sort of actuator for the hydraulic pump.

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1995 Four Winns Freedom 170
4.3-GL, Volvo SX