steering bezel

[shaun]

I wont set my picture to load in here because it's huge but will this bezel from rex work/replace with my current setup. The bezel i have now is a bit beat! The bezel from rex only has 1 hole thats a perfect circle from the pic on the site but my bezel looks to have a rectangle in it. If the part i'm looking at is not right any idea where i can get the right part?
Rex Marine Bezel page... http://rexmar.com/page92.html (bottom right corner)
My current bezel... http://reitanfamily.com/gallery/d/6741-3/IM001250.jpg
Also the s/s stainless steering wheels on that page, anybody seen those but with like a foam/wet suit type material covering it? The stearing wheel that came out of my boat had this type, i'm looking for the same thing.

[GofastRacer]

Here's how it fits, compare it to yours!..
Install! (http://rexmar.com/page95.html)

[Oldsquirt]

Shaun, I don't think the Rex bezel(or any other, for that matter) is going to work for you. It appears you have a Kiekhaffer(sp?)/Mercury Marine rack and pinion steering assembly. Had the same in my old Tahiti. Actually still have it out in the garage. Your "bezel" is the entire mounting assembly and pinion housing for the unit. It should have three studs on the back that secure it to the dash and two long bolts that attach the "rack" portion of the rack and pinion to it. One long through bolt that holds the steering wheel adapter.
So the bad news is you can't replace it with one of the aftermarket bezels. The good news is that it is aluminum and can be polished/anodized/powdercoated to match your trim. It is very easy to disconnect the rack and then remove and dissassemble the mount.

[Oldsquirt]

Just realized I had this pic of the steering rack you appear to have. You can see how it is constructed.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/3633Rack2.JPG

[shaun]

that looks exactly like the one i have... I need a new cable also, how hard is it going to be for me to find a cable for this and where can i get one?

[Rexone]

Shaun, OS is correct the bezel won't work on that helm. You'd have to replace the whole system to use the bezel.
I may have or can get quickly that cable. See if you can get any numbers off the jacket. I need a length to tell you.

[shaun]

Rex,
Bah, just droped the boat off today at storage for the week, will be picking it back up friday to work on this weekend. I'll get you whatever i can find off the cable.
If i wanted to just upgrade the hole system what would you recommend?

[Rexone]

Rex,
Bah, just droped the boat off today at storage for the week, will be picking it back up friday to work on this weekend. I'll get you whatever i can find off the cable.
If i wanted to just upgrade the hole system what would you recommend?
The best thing going for the money on whole systems is the Teleflex for $159. With your square shaft Rideguide helm though it would require you get a new wheel hub having a round tapered hole with key. Not a big deal but it is an extra few bucks.
Another step up is the Uflex system, a little more money, a little better helm design too IMO. Allow us a little time on the Uflex as I don't have the stock depth yet on them that I do in Teleflex. Btw the Hardin stuff that's on our website I no longer handle, just fyi (I need to get that off there). Let us know if and how we can help when the time comes.

[lucky]

Rex , always the good guy :)

[396_WAYS_TO_SPIT]

Rex , always the good guy :)
Good guys always finish last:D :crossx:

[shaun]

The complete kits include the cable too is that correct? I didnt see the teleflex kits on your site, am i blind? :)
I havnt pulled the existing system out yet but i assume theirs 1 hole in the dash for the steering shaft and then 3 others that bolt to the bezel? What are the chances of this new system using all the existing holes and me not having to put more holes in the boat?
The best thing going for the money on whole systems is the Teleflex for $159. With your square shaft Rideguide helm though it would require you get a new wheel hub having a round tapered hole with key. Not a big deal but it is an extra few bucks.
Another step up is the Uflex system, a little more money, a little better helm design too IMO. Allow us a little time on the Uflex as I don't have the stock depth yet on them that I do in Teleflex. Btw the Hardin stuff that's on our website I no longer handle, just fyi (I need to get that off there). Let us know if and how we can help when the time comes.

[shaun]

bump?

[Oldsquirt]

The complete kits include the cable too is that correct? I didnt see the teleflex kits on your site, am i blind? :)
I didn't see them either, but I think the Hardin units are very similar in design to the Teleflex. Might try checking on the Teleflex website.
A complete kit WILL include a cable, but you need to figure out the length before you order.
That Rexone guy is slacking off these days ;) might just try calling over there for the info.
I havnt pulled the existing system out yet but i assume theirs 1 hole in the dash for the steering shaft and then 3 others that bolt to the bezel? What are the chances of this new system using all the existing holes and me not having to put more holes in the boat?
Chances are about the same as hitting the Lotto and being struck by lightning at the same time.......slim to none. You are correct that there is one oblong hole for the shaft to pass through and 3 9/16" holes for the mounting bolts/studs. Pretty sure all the holes will be hidden by the bezel for the new system.

[Rexone]

I didn't see them either, but I think the Hardin units are very similar in design to the Teleflex. Might try checking on the Teleflex website.
A complete kit WILL include a cable, but you need to figure out the length before you order.
That Rexone guy is slacking off these days ;) might just try calling over there for the info.
Chances are about the same as hitting the Lotto and being struck by lightning at the same time.......slim to none. You are correct that there is one oblong hole for the shaft to pass through and 3 9/16" holes for the mounting bolts/studs. Pretty sure all the holes will be hidden by the bezel for the new system.
I think you are correct on both the above :rollside:
I don't have the Teleflex up on the site yet Shaun, I need to get the Hardin off and the Teleflex on.... soon. :boxed:
They do come complete with cable.

[MadPoodle]

Actually, if your keeping the cable system, the best ones going right now are the Uflex systems.. The planetary gear setup takes a LOT of the slop out of it, and price wise they are very competitive, ie: helm with 15' cable for 120 bucks & shipping...

[shirkey4750]

Check e-bay, I found one just like it for an old Wriedt daycruiser I had. I think I paid like $20 for it and it was in excellent shape. I think I still have the steering helm, as all I needed was the cable.

[shaun]

ok, sounds like i should go with the Uflex, rex you said to allow you some time... How long we talking?
I measured my steering cable today... From where the red starts to where it ends cam out to 15' and 4". So i'm going to guess i just got alittle crazy and it's really 15'.
From where the red stops at the end of the cable (the peice that goes through the transom) was about 10" long and the steering shaft after that was another 12"...
So how do i figure out what size cable i need. do i total everything together?
Also, i was running a 1 peice bowl, but i had it converted to a split bowl... i'm also running a droop now and will add a manual place diverter down the road.. I assume i'm goign to need to add a some extra length because of that?

[boats&bars]

Replace the helm you will thank yourself later :)

[shaun]

Hmm, found this on uflex's website.
http://www.uflexusa.com/select_a_steering/6-3.jpg
So according to that 15' 4" is 180" + 22" comes out to 206 divded by 12... 17.17, they say to round up but i'm just going to round down to 17ft
17ft sounds like alot though, expecially considering the boat is 18ft... Is this right?

[Oldsquirt]

That sounds about right. While it sounds like a lot, the length is for the inner portion of cable. Remember, the cable routing has it going a couple feet across the boat at the helm and the transom.
You WONT need extra length for the droop but you will need a "steering extension" that fits on the end of the cable. I would also recommend a "swivel connection kit". Both items are on this page of Rex catalog. (http://rexmar.com/page120.html)

[shaun]

ok, 17ft was waaaaayyy to long, rather than measuring my old cable i should have measured the area where the cable runs. The cable is probably 3 ft too long at least, whats weird is i lined this cable up with my old one and it's the same length!! This cable is so long that rather than run it down the left side of the boat i could run it accross the dash, down the right side and back accross the transom :p .The old cable must have done a loop or somthing in the transom area...
Luckily the nice guys at Rex Marine said could send the kit back and swap it out.
thanks rex!

[MadPoodle]

Uflex's are selling for 120 bucks complete these days. Still the best bang for the buck IMO, just got one for my Donzi to tighten up the half system a bit....