I've got an older Ranger with a 150hp Evinrude Intruder and I've noticed the steering is getting tight. I believe the steering system I have is called a double rack and pinion system...don't quote me on that. Anyone have any advice on whether I should try and take on that job myself or just take it in? Or possibly any ideas to try and clean out the cables while leaving them in the boat? I'm pretty mechanical, do my own brake jobs, tune ups, minor engine repairs on my cars. Anyone have steering cables replaced that know about what it would cost? Thanks.

Go with a Seastar Hydraulic system and never look back. I installed my own and it really wasn't that bad, even if you only slightly mechanically inclined. Love hydraulic steering.

Same here. Most difficult part was getting the hoses through the somewhat croweded conduit between the engine and steering wheel. Big improvement over cable steering in my application.

I put the Baystar on my 19’ Cajun with a 150 fast strike. It works awesome!! I will never not have hydraulic steering again!!

Awesome, thanks for the input everyone.

What year and model Ranger? If it could have a Morse system which has been discontinued but there were replacement cables last time I replaced one. That was about 8 years ago. Most likely it is the cable with tightest bend that is bad but replace both. I tied ropes to mine and pulled out from helm. Not a bad job. On some boats you have to remove the engine. I had a 375V Comanche and it was tight but doable with out removing engine. I had a 6" jack plate. There will be numbers on the motor end of cables. You need those. I think in the 30 years I owned the Ranger I replaced 4 cables. You can spend the money on a hydraulic system if you want but on a boat that old I would just do cables. Steering my Ranger helped me win arm wrestling matches.