Do you repair both cable and hydraulic steering systems?

Yes, we repair both mechanical (cable) and hydraulic steering systems. We service Teleflex, SeaStar, Uflex, and other major brands – from seized cables to fluid leaks and helm unit replacements.

What are signs that my steering system needs repair?

Common signs include stiff or locked-up steering, fluid leaks at the helm or ram, uneven turning, or strange noises when turning the wheel. If your boat doesn’t respond smoothly, your system likely needs service.

Do you offer mobile steering diagnostics and repair?

Yes, we come to your boat at the dock. We inspect the helm, lines, cylinders and cables, flush hydraulic systems and replace damaged components, and most cable and fluid work can be done on-site. Each visit has a one-way trip fee by distance, from $30 in San Pedro to $110 in Newport Beach.

How much does marine steering repair cost?

Labor is $150 an hour, plus parts and a one-way trip fee by distance, from $30 in San Pedro to $110 in Newport Beach. Most steering repairs take 2-4 hours; the cost of a cable, helm or cylinder depends on your system. You get a written estimate before any work starts.

Can you replace a broken steering cable dockside?

Yes, a broken or seized steering cable can usually be replaced at your slip. Cables come in exact lengths and types, so we measure yours, get the right one and give you the expected date with your written estimate.

Do you service power-assisted or electronic steering systems?

We mainly service mechanical and hydraulic systems. On power-assist and electronic steering we can check the hydraulics, wiring and power supply; setup or calibration that needs the maker's dealer software goes to a dealer. Tell us your setup and we will advise.

Do steering repairs include a warranty?

Yes. Our workmanship is warranted for 90 days from the invoice date; new cables, helms and cylinders carry their manufacturer's warranty.

Marine Steering Repair– Cable & Hydraulic

Steering wheel won't turn? You likely have a seized mechanical cable. We extract frozen steering cables and repair leaking hydraulic helms so your boat steers properly again.

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$150 /hr

Labor estimate Usually 2–4 hours

Book sends us a ticket; nothing is charged online. Before any work you get a written estimate for labor, parts and the trip fee, and nothing is done without your OK.

Trip fee By distance, one way: $30 in San Pedro, $50 in Long Beach

San Pedro$30
Wilmington, Terminal Island$40
Long Beach: Shoreline, Rainbow Harbor$50
Long Beach Marina, Alamitos Bay$60
Redondo Beach$60
Seal Beach, Huntington Harbour$75
Marina del Rey$85
Newport Beach$110

Farther away: $25 plus $2.50 a mile, one way from our San Pedro shop. No trip fee when the boat comes to our shop, or for plan members. The work of a visit is at least $150; the trip fee is on top.

Registered in California: Breeze Marine Boat Service LLC, San Pedro
Where we work: At your slip from Marina del Rey to Newport Beach, or in our San Pedro shop
Questions first: (213) 693-0224 or submit a ticket

About this service

Total Control

Locked Up?
We Break It Free.

A seized steering wheel is one of the most common marine failures. Whether it's a rusted mechanical cable or a leaking hydraulic helm, we diagnose, repair, and replace your steering components to get you back on course.

Seized Cable Extraction

Mechanical cables often rust inside the engine's tilt tube, locking the steering solid and making boat steering cable replacement the only fix. We use specialized heat and extraction tools to remove the old cable and clean the tube before installing a new one.

Helm Seal Repair

Is hydraulic fluid dripping from behind your steering wheel? For hydraulic steering repair, we rebuild SeaStar and Uflex helm pumps, replacing the shaft quad-ring and rear seals to stop leaks and restore pressure.

NFB Upgrades

Tired of fighting the wheel torque? We upgrade standard cable systems to "No FeedBack" (NFB) helms or full hydraulic conversions, allowing you to let go of the wheel without the boat turning itself.

The Repair Protocol.

Diagnose. Extract. Replace.

Isolation

We disconnect the steering link arm from the engine. If the engine swivels freely but the wheel is stuck, the cable is dead. If the engine is stuck, the pivot tube needs grease.

Extraction

For seized cables, we cut the cable head and use a slide hammer or torch to drive the rusted rod out of the tilt tube—the most labor-intensive part of the job.

Tube Prep

We use a 12-gauge shotgun brush or reamer to scour rust from inside the tilt tube, then apply marine waterproof grease to prevent future seizing.

Installation

We route the new Teleflex/Dometic cable through the gunwales, securing it to the helm, and verify full lock-to-lock travel.

Parts We Trust.

Reliable components for critical control.

Replacing a mechanical steering cable behind a boat helm

Hydraulic steering helm pump disassembled for rebuild

Hydraulic steering cylinder with a new seal kit ready to fit

System Types.

We service all major marine steering gear configurations.

Rotary Cable Teleflex Safe-T QC, NFB 4.2

Rack & Pinion Common on Ski Boats (The "Back & Forth" style)

Hydraulic SeaStar, BayStar, Uflex (Fluid based)

Common Questions

Can you grease a frozen cable?

No. Once a cable is seized, the internal plastic liner has broken down or the core wire has rusted inside the jacket. Grease cannot reach it, so it must be cut out and replaced.

Why is my helm leaking oil?

The top shaft seal eventually wears out from turning the wheel. We can often replace this seal from the front without removing the entire helm pump, saving you labor time.

Steer Straight.

Fix your stuck or leaking steering.

Repair My Steering

Boat Steering System Repair: Know the Warning Signs

Steering problems rarely appear overnight. A wheel that gets stiffer every trip, a helm that fights you in turns, hydraulic fluid behind the dash, or a boat that pulls hard to one side are early signals that boat steering system repair should not wait. Catching a stiff cable early is far easier than cutting out a seized steering cable.

We work as boat steering rebuilders as well as installers: when a SeaStar or Uflex hydraulic helm leaks, we rebuild it with new seals, and when a mechanical cable is seized, we extract it, clean the tilt tube and install a new Teleflex/Dometic cable. Before your appointment, note whether your system is rotary cable, rack and pinion or hydraulic, and whether the problem is stiffness, leaking or play in the wheel.