Strings and cables

Replace the cables: Kestrel, Phoenix and 2017+ Osprey

Oneida's Kestrel manual warns against bow presses and recommends a dealer do cable work. Here's what the manual covers, so you know what the job involves and what to tell us.

  • Difficulty Best done by a shop
  • Time Shop job
  • For 3 Oneida models

The Kestrel manual is the only Oneida service manual we have for this family.

All how-to guides

We're still double-checking this guide against how we do it in the shop. If anything doesn't match your bow, stop and text us or call 270-318-2020.

Before you start

  • Never put a Kestrel in any bow press. Oneida says it will damage the bow.
  • Never turn a weight bolt until the orange timing screw is loose.
  • Wear safety glasses. Never dry-fire.
  • Oneida's Kestrel manual says to have an authorized Oneida dealer do string and cable work, and Oneida's warranty doesn't cover bows altered by anyone else.

Steps

  1. Check all five cables (two power, two yoke, one timing). Any fraying means replacement.
  2. Identify your set-up before you order. Kestrel: the yoke colors tell the four set-ups apart. Phoenix and 2017+ Osprey: match string length and yoke colors; power colors depend on the earlier or newer Helix cable.
  3. Order the matching set with your model, string length and size.
  4. Stop here. The Kestrel manual only covers the bolts for changing draw weight, not slackening the cables, and has no cable-swap steps. Until we confirm a method, send the bow to us.
  5. Loosen the orange timing screw (part #2 on Oneida's diagram) before touching the weight bolts.
  6. Take weight off counter-clockwise with a 3/16 in Allen, one turn at a time, switching bolts each turn, and write down your total.
  7. Call us before the swap itself. On the Black Eagle, Oneida slides the saddle toward the weight bolt, swings the outboard limb to reach the hinge and swaps the cables; we expect the same here but haven't confirmed it.
  8. Bring the weight back the same number of turns, one at a time, switching bolts.
  9. Check limb alignment: each outboard butt parallel to its power limb. A yoke cable shifted sideways in the saddle can pull a limb out of line.
  10. Re-tiller and check brace height before tightening the orange screw (see 'Change draw weight and set tiller: Kestrel, Phoenix and 2017+ Osprey'), then tighten it before you draw.

Tips

  • The Kestrel item number on your paperwork (20009–20024, RH or LH) also tells you your set-up. (Kestrel Manual p.5)