Borrowed my sons boat while mine is in shop. Steering is VERY hard to turn. Disconnected the motor, not the problem. Found that the cable is lubricated with grease and has become very sticky. I plan on removing the cable,and clean. Question is... What kind of lubricant would serve this application best? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,

Marvil Mystery Oil has worked best. Biggest problem is getting it in the cable. I have a rig to clamp over the cable end with an air regulator. Only way to get oil inside is at the swivel end. I have to pour oil into the clamped on hose, then clamp the regulator to the hose, then apply air pressure. This ha worked about 15 to 20% of the times I have tryed it. Yep new cable.

We built one of those cable lubricators.....15-20% of the time it works......is about right. Nothing beats a new cable.

This is what I did 5 years ago when my grease caked up. Once I changed the cable, I installed a nut that has a seal and a screw to inject high grade gear oil in. Some call it a widget. I squirt some oil in there every couple of months. Five years and not a hint of problem. My initial cable only lasted 2 years fishing in exclusively salt water.

Cable needs replaced. Its pretty easy.

Whether it is or not depends on the boat. Some are harder to run the cable from helm to motor and some have limited clearance between the motor and the hoel on the boat. When there is not enough clearance than you have to pull the motor. I am not sure this happens often but it can. The other problem could be the cable itself. My boat has a Morse sytem and Morse is no longer in business. I suspect next time (not long) that instead of the $120 - $130 I have been spending on cables I will be springing for the whole system.

FYI....Teleflex bought out Morse and they have a replacement cable that retrofits from Teleflex to Morse. But of course by the time you need a new cable. Both the retrofit and the "new" Teleflex will problably be N-L-A........

The best lubricant is Hydraulic fluid....... When you replace the whole system.

Thanks for the info. I will most likely pick up one or 2 next year because while mine are not real stiff I know I am getting close. Once it gets warmer and I do my spring maintenance I am going to assess them. I have replaced several and know the one with the biggest bend goes first.

I have used transmission fluid. Does anyone think this is good or bad? I have had to replace one of mine twice...but have had pretty good luck since I changed my lubricant and my technique. Since Morse went out of business I have used Teleflex. Make sure you have the right length. This is for rack and pinion (sp?).

Thanks for all the advice. Mike the Boatmann, had the right answer............ just replace the cable with a new one. Replaced all the components including steering wheel, works great now.