Stiff Binnacle

TopsulTime

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My port engine control is a lot harder to move than the starboard. 2005 Yamaha 250's. I turned the friction screw both directions and did not feel a difference. I'm wondering if some linkage is broken.

I guess I need to start disassembling to explore. Anybody run into this issue before? Tips?


Could the issue be at the engine end? What's most likely the cause?
 

Rustygaff

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I have a rough spot on mine as well but the kicker is that mine is digital. No cables. Been researching how to take it apart to give it some grease but to no avail so far.
 

seasick

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It could be the control itself (less likely), the engine linkage (more about that later) or the cables themselves (most likely).
You did not specify if the issue is with the throttle or the shift function or both. To check, use the gear disengage button on the control so that you only move the throttle cable at the motor. If that is not tight, the problem is probably not that throttle cable, the linkage or the helm control.
Now with the motor not running, try carefully to move the engine control into gear. One direction may be locked out so don't force it. One direction, forward or reverse will most likely move. See how hard that is. If it is hard, it may be the cable or the shift mechanism at the motor (or the LU itself, low probability but possible). If tight and binding, disconnect the shift cable at the engine and see how the cable moves. If still tight, the cable is probably shot. If not tight, try moving the shift lever arm by hand or with a pliers to se if the gear box is binding.
One other simple check is to take a look at the cables near the motor for bumps or obvious corrosion. Bumps mean the the cable is corroded and the rust has swelled causing the bump. In that case, cables need to be replaced.
 

TopsulTime

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It is the throttle portion only. Both move easily from Rev thru Forward, only when I continue to advance the port side (and not fast :D) does it become STIFF.

Anybody know the length or part number for the throttle cable I need for a '05 Sailfish 282?
 

efx

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This is a very common issue with control cables that are routed through chases. Almost every twin boat that is a walk around has this issue. I suggest that every time you are at the boat, exercise the throttle levers forward and reverse a few times. They will loosen up over time so that the cables don’t develop stiction.
 

seasick

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It is the throttle portion only. Both move easily from Rev thru Forward, only when I continue to advance the port side (and not fast :D) does it become STIFF.

Anybody know the length or part number for the throttle cable I need for a '05 Sailfish 282?
The length is often printed on one or both ends of the cable. Your best chance is looking at the helm side first for a part number. The part number will include the length.
One word of advice: Assuming the shift and throttle cables are the same age, replace both since it is only a matter of time before the other cable goes bad.

That said, your symptoms don't tell me that the throttle iscable is bad. When you have the shift interrupt engaged, if the cable were binding it would do so going both from neutral to fwd full throttle AND from neutral to full reverse throttle. The reason is that unlike the shift cable, the throttle cable moves in the same direction regardless of being moved forward or backwards. Assuming you info is correct, I would suspect the helm control.
 

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Its generally easier to get at the motor end. I would disconnect the throttle cable from the motor end.Its easy. If it still sticky when disconnected then probably the cable. Work the throttle on the motor by hand to verify it is not the linkage sticking. Give it a spray of lithium grease while you are at it.

if you are doing the project to open the binnacle, you might as well change all 4 cables. they are 16 years old. As stated before, they get rusty inside and swell up.
There are things that want to fall out of the binnacle. beware, take precautions. Don't go willy-nilly adjusting the binnacle unless you have installed new cables and they don't work smoothly.

Look for the part#s on the cables to get the right lengths. Don't need to get Yamaha. The Seastar Extreme brand is like butter.
 
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seasick

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If you take the control apart, take a lot of pictures especially of all the parts that will fall out or have to be unscrewed. Take pics of where the wires are routed also. Then when you re done taking pictures, take more after each step. Disassembly is easy but there are a multitude of configs when reassembling. For example " Did that pin go in that hole or the one next to it?"
 

TopsulTime

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Replaced the port throttle control cable today. It's a 2 man job (on my boat) but I got it...I was taking my time and it took about 4 hrs. I believe with 2 people it might take half that. It was so free I had to tighten up the friction screw.

The shift cable is still very smooth. I guess if another one goes bad I'll replace all 3 at that time.

I'm very happy, both controls are like butter.
 

seasick

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I do not understand though how the throttle cable movement could have been binding in one direction but not the other.
Regardless, good news. enjoy
 
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TopsulTime

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It was binding in both directions. I did more tests when I got to the boat. Disconnected linkage at motor end, still binding. Left that loose while I opened the binnacle, binnacle with cable disconnected was very free.