Installation Instructions for Wamilton s Steering Cable Modification The steering cable on the 08 and later superjets is too short and limits the throw of the nozzle. By changing to an older style steering cable (with longer throw) you can significantly improve steering responsiveness. Wamilton s bracket allows you to secure this replacement cable. These instructions will guide you through the modifications necessary to mount the new cable. Remove the chin pad by removing the 2 M10 bolts. Remove the cables from the white retaining clip Retract the sleeve securing the steering cable to the ball on the steering plate and remove the bolt securing the cable to the retaining bracket where it enters the handle pole.
The cable is now free at this end. Lift the handle pole and remove the zip tie and rubber grommet from the accordion rubber sleeve. The red cable is the steering cable. Release it from the grommet through the slit. Now go to the back of the ski and remove the 4 bolts securing the rideplate. Either M10 or hex depending on your plate. You will now be able to see the steering linkage at the nozzle. Remove the nut from the linkage and then unthread the ball and socket from the brass insert in the nozzle. The steering cable will drop free. Next unthread the ball and socket fitting from the end of the steering cable and set aside.
You should now see the white through-hull fitting that the steering cable passes through. Remove the rubber boot and then use a pair of channel locks to remove the outer nut. Next remove the white retaining clip followed by the rubber insert. Set aside the fittings for reassembly later.
Carefully feed the steering cable from the handle pole into the interior of the ski and then pull the cable from the through-hull fitting into the back of the ski. Remove and set the old cable aside. You now need to enlarge the opening in the handle pole to accommodate the new Wamilton cable bracket. This can be done with a dremel tool or an airpowered die-grinder. You will need to remove the entire lower lip and grind away the slot for the old steering cable bracket as well as a portion of the upper edge. Make sure you protect the cables during grinding. Once you have finished the grinding, use a large screwdriver to remove some of the handle pole foam to allow fitting of the new bracket. To properly position the cable bracket, use the locknut as a drill template. Place the lock nut that will secure the bracket in the back of the groove on the undersurface of the handle pole and mark the location with a sharpie. Drill this hole from below and temporarily secure the bracket in place using the provided bolt and lock nut (extra hole in this picture was from old handle pole limiting strap).
With the bracket secured, you can now drill the second hole from the upper side. Remove the mounting bracket and secure it to the new steering cable using the U-clamp. The ridge on the undersurface of the U-clamp fits into the groove on the steering cable. Tighten securely. Now feed the steering cable through the enlarged opening of the handle pole and into the ski.
Secure the steering cable to the handle pole with the two bolts and lock nuts. Pass the steering cable through the through-hull fitting in the back of the ski and reassemble the fitting to make a water-tight seal. Adjust the fittings at nozzle and steering plate ends so the nozzle and handlebars are straight. Tighten lock nut
then reinstall ride plate, and chin pad (don t forget to secure cables with white retaining clip at steering plate end). Put steering cable into rubber grommet and secure in accordion sleeve with a zip tie for watertight seal. You may need to use some soap on grommet if you can t get it to easily slide into the sleeve. To increase the steering throw even more, you can tap the outer hole on the steering plate. Drill the outer hole with a 5mm drill then tap with a M6 x 1.0 tap. Reinstall the ball fitting in outer hole with blue Loctite.
You may need to adjust steering cable at nozzle or steering plate end but this simple mod will definitely increase responsiveness.