Steering Cable Replacement???
 

This will be my first rodeo replacing a steering cable in an 04 Cent Lightning/Elite. I did a quick search on the forums and found some posts, but no general guide to get the novice going. Anyone know of some links or useful guides tips for this, especially any for a Cent? I am going to take off the fuel filter, fresh water pump / serp belt to start, but only have a vague sense of what to do after that. Thanks.

I have heard of taking a set of bolt cutters and removing the rack on the old one. (The part that bolts up to the sterring wheel). Tape the new one to where you just cut, rudder end, and use the old one to pull the new one in. I'd imagine it would be easier with 2 people so that one could push whil the other pulls.

Must be spring, it is our first steering cable replacement thread of the year!

Not sure why you would need to disconnect anything to remove the steering cable. It will go quick with 2 people. You need to unbolt the cable from the steering rack and the rudder. Tie a heavy nylon cord or rope to the rudder end an pull it throught. Use the rope to pull the new back through. Also, you may find that the steering cable has been zipped tied to other cables under the floor. It may be easier to remove the floor panel and cut these. It will also help you feed the new one back through. with 2 people it shouldnt take anymore than an hour.

Mine was real stiff the first two times out this year but it has loosened up to normal, I would imagine there is rust in there form it not moving for a few months

Removing the water pump will buy a little more room to access the rudder/cable mount and may as well change impeller. If anyone has a Cent, can and how do you get below the floor? It is pretty much a solid fiberglass deck with one 6" access plate and it doesn't seem like it is possible to get below the floor without some major glass work?

We have had the boat out about 5 times this year and it still takes a stout person to steer the boat. It was starting to get stiff and the end of last season and has only gotten worse and suspect we have some rust in there in somewhere.