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Steering cable adjustment

rickdowe2

Richard Dowe
After the discussion on shaft log leaks and rudders I thought I should start this new post.
How tight should the cable be for steering? Too much and you will wear out the grudgen and bearing, too little and the cable will jump out of the shives or have too much play in the wheel.
 
You got the Goldilocks description already. On my Edson system, with a full round quadrant, the wires seem preqtt6 loose and that is proper. Edson has good advice and instructions.
 
I don’t think you will damage the grudgen or bearing but might the sheaves. But even those take huge loads even with lots of slack.

That said, I believe correct is to tighten them so there is no play felt in the wheel. At that point they should still be somewhat loose.

I replaced my cable right before I left SF for Hawaii. The new cables stretched quite a lot as they set in. By the time I got to Hawaii there was about an eighth turn of the wheel of play. The loose cables stayed on the sheaves fine.

A few turns on the adjusters and they were fine again.
 
Terry, typically I would look at the manufacturers website but just didn’t think of it.

“STEERING WIRE TENSION
A top quality roller chain to wire steering system can be kept in “as new” sensitivity by keeping the wire at a correct tension. To check for proper wire tension, lock the wheel in position by using the pedestal brake, or by tying off the wheel. Cable tension is best when you cannot move the quadrant or drive wheel by hand with the wheel
locked in place. Over tightening will greatly reduce the sensitivity of the system.“

Warren, I envy you. Someday I will get there. Have a blast!
 
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