[SeadooMike]

Has anyone ever replaced the steering cable on a 2000 challanger boat? There is only 1 cable to replace. It does not look real hard, but I have no manual to go off of. I think its the cause of my boat not being able to turn right at speeds over 18mph. I had the wife turn the steering wheel while I held onto the jet pump exit (not the technical name, but where the water shoots out past the stater assembly that steers the boat). When it turns left, I can't hold it, when it turned to the right, and I am holding the jet pump exit shoot, the steering cable bounds up. I tried to tie it to speeds over 18 to make it like I am traveling and the water pressure is causing the cable to bound up, thus the boat not turning to the right.

[RodneyRucker]

SeadooMike, on 23 March 2009 - 01:40 PM, said:

Has anyone ever replaced the steering cable on a 2000 challanger boat? There is only 1 cable to replace. It does not look real hard, but I have no manual to go off of. I think its the cause of my boat not being able to turn right at speeds over 18mph. I had the wife turn the steering wheel while I held onto the jet pump exit (not the technical name, but where the water shoots out past the stater assembly that steers the boat). When it turns left, I can't hold it, when it turned to the right, and I am holding the jet pump exit shoot, the steering cable bounds up. I tried to tie it to speeds over 18 to make it like I am traveling and the water pressure is causing the cable to bound up, thus the boat not turning to the right.

I have a 2001 Seadoo Challenger 2000. I am having the same problems with my steering cable. I will be replacing it soon. Any reccomendations on where I can purchase the cable at a reasonable price? If anyone has replaced this cable, please give me tips. Thank you!

[Kevin Leclair]

We have Challenger shop manuals available here, http://seadoosportbo...8-shop-manuals/. You should be able to find the replacement cable at World of Powersports.

[rookie101]

This first part is hull specific, so it wont be the same as my Utopia. Remove the dash panel to gain access to the back of the steering column. Undo the cable from the column.



Now for the pump end.

Loosen the outer bellows jam nut.

Remove the nut and bolt that secure the cable end adaptor to the steering nozzle.

Unthread the cable end adapter counting the turns as a reference (it must be reinstalled with a MINIMUM of nine turns).

Loosen the clamp on the bellows and spin the bellows off the cable (again, count the turns as this will give you a starting point for your adjustment).

Now from inside the boat undue the clamps on the inner bellows.

Remove the two jam nuts that secure the cable to the wear housing.(this is the hard part due to the location of the nuts)
Once you have the outer bellows off you will be able to see the first of the two jam nuts (outer). All you have to do is break this nut loose, and it should spin off by hand depending on corrosion and the shape of the threads. Now you should be able to start sliding the cable in to the hull of the boat. Once you get it back an inch or so reach in with your hand and spin the inner jam nut off in the same direction as the outer. Just keep working the cable back as you spin the nut off.

You should now be able to slide the cable through the thru hull fitting and pull it in to the boat.


To help with reinstalling the cable tape some wire or string to the old cable before you pull it through the pump. Then when ready tape this to the new cable to help guide the cable through the pump.

[Phaseten]

SeaDooMike, have you replaced the cable since posting and has this solved the issue? I just bought a used 2001 Challenger 1800 and am experiencing the exact same symptom (can hardly steer at all when going approx. 20MPH or faster).

[SeadooMike]

YES it did work. The cable was damaged. To check 1st though before you do anything, get someone to turn the steerling wheel, while you are holding the rear udder/lower unit. This will simulate the pressure on the lake. If that cable binds up and you are holding the lower unit, its most likly a damaged steering cable. You can go to dealer, or I went to Babbits online and bought one. I found the instructions on how to install it on the forumn.

Phaseten, on 27 May 2010 - 10:54 AM, said:

SeaDooMike, have you replaced the cable since posting and has this solved the issue? I just bought a used 2001 Challenger 1800 and am experiencing the exact same symptom (can hardly steer at all when going approx. 20MPH or faster).

[Micksterhd]

I am having a steering issue with my 2000 Challenger. I saw sonmething about the steering rack. Mine feels like it may have something lodged in the rack. It is actually locked up. Where the heck doI find the rack. I tried downloading a manual but the site wouldn't let me. Help
Micksterhd@yahoo.com

[Kevin Leclair]

In order to download part catalogs and shop manuals you will have to purchase a SDSB Club subscription.  When trying to download these items without having an active subscription you should get the error message.  In the error message it will describe where to purchase the subscription.

I have included the link to subscribe here, http://seadoosportbo...ory/1-sdsb-club.  Please let us know if you need anything else, thanks for being a part of the website - we are glad to have you here!

[Micksterhd]

I could still use some help in telling me if there is indeed a "rack". When I put the boat up 4 months ago, it had just come off the water and steering was great. Now it seems locked in place. Could something have come loose or gotten caught somewhere? Any help is appreciated.

[Kevin Leclair]

Most of the time when there are steering issues in these boats it is related to the steering cable, I personally haven't run into anything regarding the "rack".