Need advice on removing old steering cable bellows

[db199]

I need to replace a damaged bellows on my steering cable where it's attached to the jet nozzle on my sportjet 175. I wanted to see if any of you have any advice on how to remove the old one before I start tearing into it. On visual inspection I am having trouble figuring out how to get it around the nut that it is up against to remove it. And more importantly how to get the new one back on past that nut. I have searched this forum and the net but I can't seem to find any answers. Hopefully it is easy but just not obvious. Thanks..

 

[Bilmon]

Been a long time since I had one apart, the brass nut is a jam nut, release the plastic clamp to the pump then hold brass nut and unscrew the eye end. Than you can un screw the nut and bellows as a assembly, count the turns, that's also where you adjust the steering

 

[db199]

Thank you. Sorry for so many questions. You've been a big help. I'm just trying to wrap my head around all of this. I want to clarify something. So you say the nut(the one that screws against part "a" in the diagram above) should unscrew from the cable under where the bellows attaches at that end of the cable? However the instructions seem to indicate that the cable has to be pulled all the way out and then put the bellows on and thread the cable back through the hull.(steps 1 and 2) Which would mean removing the whole cable. Do you know if this is only if changing the cable as well or if that is the only way to put the bellows on? Of course I would prefer to not remove the cable.

 

[Bilmon]

Don't need to pull cable, the nut with bellows stuck on should unscrew

 

[Bilmon]

couple more pages from my 240 manual

 

[db199]

Hey there @Bilmon, I have another question for you. First of all, I got the nut off. Easy. Thank you. I read in my engine manual(also in the last picture above) that Mercury recommends using Perfect Seal(now replaced by Permatex Form-a-Gasket Sealant Liquid) when reinstalling the bellows. They say to apply it to the cable end threads and to the end of the cable conduit. I'm not sure if they mean under the bellows where zip tie thing clamps down or what. Do you know anything about that and do you think it is necessary? I'm just wondering if I should order this stuff before I get started on the repair. I would assume that I should do what the manual says but I always like to get outside opinions as well. Thanks again.

 

[Bilmon]

been a long time, but I don't remember applying anything to it. But then I didn't replace it, just disassembled it to replace the wear ring. You can find Form-a Gasket at any auto parts store

 

[db199]

Thanks. So I don't really understand why they would say to put a gasket on the threads of that part. Isn't that the part that needs to turn to adjust the steering? How would that work with some kind of sticky gasket on the threads? Or am I missing the point of it?