Connection of Steering Cables to Roller Chain

[kaakre]

Did some searching but cannot find an answer to this one.

I have cables (from the quadrant to the steering roller chain ends) that are swaged on the end with a thimble. The connection seems dodgy-- a sail clevis attaches the steering cable to the chain end.

Is there a purpose made fitting that connects roller chain to a cable loop? a turnbuckle would be handy as well for tuning the tension of the system.

I suppose I could also add a protector backup loop --ala airplane cables.

[zboss]

You really just need to order a whole new assembly from your manufacturer... they come from the manufacturer pre-assembled. Ours is an edson wheel and it cost about $350.

The chain portion can break as well, so if your cable has broken or is near breaking, you should just go ahead and do the whole thing.

[travellerw]

I've attached a picture of how my chain is attached to my steering cable. It has an adjustment bolt/nut on the other end (at the rudder post).

I need to change out one of the cables(meat hooks) and was told those are standard fittings and any rigging shop could do them.

[kaakre]

Thanks travellerw!

[kaakre]

Thank you zboss. Unfortunately, this is not a production boat so everything is freestyle/design-build.

[rbyham]

I took mine off boat walked to West Marine Isle 3 and swaged up new cables. Easy job and way more cheaper than Edson. But the chain can also problematic so I plan to order a couple sets of chain from Edson and replace. The bad thing about chain is that it can look fine on outside but pins be rusting inside links. Best to change after 10 years...

[zboss]

Originally Posted by kaakre

Thank you zboss. Unfortunately, this is not a production boat so everything is freestyle/design-build.

You should make up a couple of sets while you are at it. We just had a chain/cable assembly break while pulling into Green Turtle in the Abacos. Pretty sure it would be expensive to get a new set sent! Luckily, we already had a replacement on board.

[kaakre]

I agree zboss. I have an emergency rudder setup and autopilot steering as a backup but it is a cheap thing to spare-- a couple of cables and some roller chain.

[rbyham]

I kept my old ones for emergency as they still appeared to have life left. But I agree new spares are best way to go. I suppose one could just carry the wire and bulldog clamps and make up an emergency set on the fly... or maybe not...

[zboss]

Originally Posted by rbyham

I kept my old ones for emergency as they still appeared to have life left. But I agree new spares are best way to go. I suppose one could just carry the wire and bulldog clamps and make up an emergency set on the fly... or maybe not...

In an emergency, that could take too long. Even with a full assembly it still took three hours to change it out. That took away from my bar time! A travesty!

[colemj]

Bulldog clamps.

Mark

[jessehunt]

You can get roller chain at most motorcycle shops, and they also have a small screw-type drift to push pins out to separate the chain to the proper length. Might be cheaper than Edson.

[Scrimshaw4]

I would definetly add turnbuckles to the end of the cable. This way you can adjust the tension as the new cable goes thru it's break in cycle. Just make sure that the chain / cable length doesn't allow the coneectors to get anywhere near the quadrant when hard over to the rudder stops.

[colemj]

Most quadrants have cable adjustment built into them.

Mark

[datmbn]

Her is a link to some pictures of how it was done on my boat and how i did it when i changed the steringwire

https://drive.google.com/folder/d/0B5sp6VM7NRM7SVRxaHhlMUwydzA/edit.