Shift cable on Edson pedestal

Newsgroups Archive Prior to 2025
1

I found my post from 2022 and repeat it here for all to see. Worst part was getting the four screws out as it took two weeks of soaking and banging plus drilling.

Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA

2

Joe, by “turning wheel below the pedestal” I take it that you are referencing the idler sheaves mounted on the underside of the cockpit sole, correct?

Ken Dakin
NS 33 # 7
Sashay
Kingston ON

3

I believe so. You need to have some slack.

Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA

4

Fortunately, the 4 bolts were not a problem. They will go back with anti-seize for the next time. We (my son) will descend into the “cave” and measure the cables this weekend.The Edson instructions say that you can sneak the plastic retainer past the shaft, but then go on to recommend moving the chain forward for room. We will see! Detaching the idler block sounds interesting, as it does not change the cable settings for the steering. Fairly sure the problem is the cable, as it kinks a bit at the forward end when it moves, but I will change the lever bushing while we have it apart. Thanks for the help.
Joe
Persuasion NS 26U
Essex, CT

5

Hi,

I replaced both my cables earlier this year, admittedly with my mechanic’s help to install new ones. I didn’t have any issues pulling off the binnacle bits, no seized bolts. I followed instructions in Edson manual (see attached), and my added comments are…

  1. Pulling off the steering wheel makes access to the top of the binnacle much easier. And secure the compass light wire, you don’t want to loose it.
  2. After removing the nut on fitting at mid-pedestal below the wheel, I pushed down the starboard throttle cable and pulled it up on the port side of wheel axle, so both cables are together. See photo.
  3. I choose to loosen, but not remove, the nuts on the eye bolts where the cables attach to the steering quadrant. Before doing so I measured the exposed threads so when it came time to tighten the nuts back up I had a reference point.
  4. With the cables now slack, I lifted the chain off the axle gear. Kept it in place with a chop stick. Wear nitrile gloves, the chain is greasy and a bit difficult to hold onto. See photo.
  5. Then pulled the cables up on the port side. A little tough to do, very tight, but with some wiggling it worked. Important to keep the chain out of the way.
  6. After removing the nylon fitting we pulled out the old cables with a string attached to each. The string served as a telegraph to pull the new cables back into place.
  7. I measured the length of my cables to be 8 ft, and someone else in the INA group told me the same thing. But the local supplier only had 10ft in stock, so we used these. (SeaStar/Teleflex CCX63310 10ft cables)
  8. Take the time to lubricate the steering components while you have everything apart.

Replacing the shifter cable saved banging my knuckles every time I put the boat into forward. And makes maneuvering in a marina a little less stressful, highly recommended. I choose to do the throttle at the same time, although the old one seemed okay. The manufactured date on my old cables was 1985, so I think they were due for replacement.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

Don

’87 NS30U #369 - Breezin’

Vancouver, BC

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(attachments)

Edson Engine Control Cable Installation Instructions.pdf (71.5 KB)
Edson quadrant.pdf (134 KB)