Throttle shift cable replacement 2005 280

Ralph vaughn

Member
Nov 14, 2018
259
Atlanta Ga
Boat Info
2007 Sea Ray 290 radar & GPS, triple axle trailer. 2006 Sea Ray 280 radar & GPS & triple axle tlr
Engines
5.0 MPI closed cooling Sea Core engines & Bravo III outdrives
4.3 MPI with alpha outdrives
Does anyone know how often cables for drives and throttle need to be replaced in salt water boat? Also an approximate cost for the job in florida.

thanks in advance
 
I have 2002 280 Sundancer. My linkage broke where it connects to lower unit last summer. They replaced cable and fixed connection. Cable was around $150.00 and they charged $900.00. I am on Lake Ontario. They said cable was fine and it has never been replaced, but but replaced for preventive maintenance. Boat has never seen salt water.
 
I have 2002 280 Sundancer. My linkage broke where it connects to lower unit last summer. They replaced cable and fixed connection. Cable was around $150.00 and they charged $900.00. I am on Lake Ontario. They said cable was fine and it has never been replaced, but but replaced for preventive maintenance. Boat has never seen salt water.
 
Thanks very informative.

how hard is it to replace cable yourself.
 
The lower shift cable on an Alpha is not too bad if you DIY most of your maintenance. You do have to remove the drive and bell housing. People usually do this when they are replacing the bellows - most of same parts need to be removed so do the labor once. I've done it myself, along with the bellows and trim senders - I would call it a moderate job when working alone. There is a special socket/tool that is a big help installing the drive side of the cable. Freshwater or dry stored these things can last a long time - mine was changed with the bellows for the first time when the boat was 15yrs old. I think salt water can push this down to the 5-7yr range. What happens is the shift cable bellows starts leaking and at that point you might as well replace the cable with the bellows and the other drive bellows and trim senders. If you are not having shifting issues and no leaking around the cable bellows (the small one) and you are < 5yrs on this one I would leave it and just inspect periodically. When I say inspect, I mean pull the drive inspect all the bellows and gimbal bearing and check the alignment.

I've never messed with a throttle cable, in many (most) cases they can last the life of the boat.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,945
Messages
1,422,738
Members
60,928
Latest member
rkaleda
Back
Top