Mercury Outboard Control Cables

[bte52]

The throttle/transmission control cable on my 2004 Trophy model # 1903 equipped with a 125 Mercury outboard is very stiff and difficult to move (my wife can hardly move the control and it's even hard for me). My mechanic has suggested that I spend a couple hundred bucks (parts and labor) and retrofit the current cable system with Mercury's Platinum cable system. Does anyone out there have any experience with this problem and/or can offer alternative solutions or is this the best route for me? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Ed

[Gene Ashton]

New cables would be the way to go.. That said, if you want to save 200 bucks remove the cables at the control box.Get some p b blaster,a short piece of fuel line hose, and clamp. Put the hose and clamp around the end of the cable,tighten the clamp well.Shoot the p b blaster or anything similar into the hose, if you have access to a air hose you can blow the lubricant through if not give it a few minutes to soak down into the cable,it will help to work the cable in and out also...This is just a tight azz way to get by....My tight azz father-in law does it all the time. He's a retired Tug-boat engineer

[evernic]

you might try a heavy spray of WD-40 or similer along all of the cable jacket. or as much as you can reach......the jacket is pourous and it will soak in..it will not make it like new but I used this method on my 28 ftr and it helped a lot for about a yr before repeating..try spraying 3-4 times over an hour or so...can't hurt and it might help

[t3rockhall]

My Merc dealer installed "teflon coated" cables last year. Big improvement. I don't know if this is the "Platinum" system.

[9ft2short]

I had the same problem on my 2004 Mercury F 115 4 strk's. Dealer had to replace both cables and throttle control. Is the boat still under warranty, if so write your dealer a letter that this is a safety hazard, it worked for me. Look up Mercury Junk. Good luck.