Busted a Nut at 60 MPH - might need help... (steering)

[SabrToothSqrl]

This weekend, I got to feel the thrill of turning my XP broadly back and forth down a river at full throttle with the steering going left, right, left, right... BAM! STRAIT?! I didn't order strait into LAND and TREES. Full hard right... NOTHING. I get off the throttle. bail? don't bail? I think we are ok. idle. kill engine. start engine. I can turn left! and the nozzle self centers!

LEFT it is! a whole lotta lefts later. I'm on the trailer.

Busted the nut on the pump plate. The steering in my XP was always heavy, I just never knew it because I thought all XP steering was heavy.

I take it apart and feel lucky I didn't sink! Also, I figured I'd throw in a new steering cable.

That's where you chumps come in

I've removed the jet pump, and steering nut off the back. 1/2 the nut is still in there at the moment. Ordered new cable and nut kit from OSD. Does the steering cable come with new 'wiper terminals' Mine are 15 years old, so why not get new?

Do I have to pull the VTS? I removed the gauge cluster and my factory steering cable is split and rusted! I'm damn lucky I wasn't out in the bay or far from the ramp

any help on replacing this would be appreciated. I've never done a steering cable before.

thanks

Also found some rusted washers under the hood... Why are people too stupid to use stainless? I know it was stainless from the factory!

 

[mikidymac]

If I remember correctly when I did mine I just had the hood open and pulled it out towards the bars.
You have to pull it out the back a little first so you can get the end out of the hood cowl.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

So the new one goes in the back, then up under the driveshaft, tank, engine, then into the hood?

use the old one to pull the new?

 

[mikidymac]

No, I pulled the old one out the hood in the front with heavy fishing line tied to the back end then used that to help the new one be installed from the front to the back.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Not a bad idea. I think I have some thick string I could use. Thanks.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Got the old one out. Cut it just in front of the engine with a grinder. Used the old to pull weed whacker line through. What's the name of the pliers that open when you squeeze them? I need to get the busted nut out...

 

[Matt Braley]

The title drew me in lol. Glad your OK.

If it's this style nut they make billet ones. A good poly one has never failed me unless I was trying to get it off though. I just thought of it cause they come up in my searches.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SeaDoo-Upgr...ash=item3adc3297ff:g:XlsAAOSwR29ZHIG4&vxp=mtr

 

[squad1]

Got the old one out. Cut it just in front of the engine with a grinder. Used the old to pull weed whacker line through. What's the name of the pliers that open when you squeeze them? I need to get the busted nut out...

Snap ring pliers??

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

Yea, I'm going to try snap ring pliers. Harbor Fright has them for like $4.00 Crap! I thought I had a 20% coupon too. Ugh.. where's my free flash light?!

I saw the metal ones, but OSD had a whole kit thing going, and it's white plastic... long as I get another 10 years I'll be happy. I can't believe it just broke, leaving me with with a left only operation... I could have replaced just the nut/seal. but I knew my steering cable was crap, so why not do it right?

 

[squad1]

Just go to Valpak online, the coupon by mail people. I just screen shot the coupons when I need a disposable tool..