Removing Raymarine ST4000+ from Edson Destroyer Wheel — Need Guidance

[testingthewaters91]

Update: I heard back from someone knowledgeable on this setup from Edson. Looks like my Edson wheel is mounted directly onto a 1” straight shaft with no retaining nut—just a keyway. What I’m seeing in the center of the hub is actually the shaft itself.

Apparently, the wheel should just pull straight off, but if it's stuck from age or corrosion, a few medium taps with a rubber mallet near the center of the hub should break it free.

Thanks for the help so far—this confirms what I suspected!

Going to try that soon.

 

[Tally Ho]

Sounds exactly like what I said…

And here is the number for Edson…


Greg

 

[testingthewaters91]

I think this is the end of the shaft….and I don’t see any sort of nut on it…. It should pull off.

View attachment 233334

This was absolutely in alignment with what the Edson technician said, and I will try it soon!

Cheers!

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Sigh…

 

[testingthewaters91]

Sigh…

You were also correct! But it's not off yet. I have yet to try. Let's hope nothing breaks this time!

 

[testingthewaters91]

Ahoy all—
I wish I were writing with better news, but alas, I must report in with a tale of defeat.

Today I attempted to remove the wheel from my Edson pedestal, and… well, let’s just say, it laughed in my face. I gave it everything: leaned in with all my body weight, twisted, yanked, even gave it a few love taps with a hammer from behind. Nothing. Not even a hint of movement. The whole steering post began to flex ominously, as if contemplating coming off with it.

Yes, the nut is removed. Yes, the threads are visible. No, there’s no retaining bolt hiding anywhere. This thing is simply welded by time and corrosion, it seems.

I’ve since doused the hub in PB Blaster—liberally and without mercy. I’ll try again tomorrow, this time with a rubber mallet and a little more patience (or perhaps less). Not entirely convinced the PB will penetrate in a meaningful way here, but one can hope.

Any tricks from those who’ve wrestled with this beast before? I’m open to suggestions—short of explosives.

 

[DaveJ]

No tricks here. But I cannot understand what is holding the wheel on the shaft. No nut? Obvious from the pictures, but something is keeping that wheel in place. Keep looking and it will reveal itself….

 

[testingthewaters91]

No tricks here. But I cannot understand what is holding the wheel on the shaft. No nut? Obvious from the pictures, but something is keeping that wheel in place. Keep looking and it will reveal itself….

I really cannot tell.

Here are some up close photos I took today.

 

[jssailem]

I’m going to guess the key used is a part of the issue.

 

[Tally Ho]

This might be a good time try a gear puller…

Greg

 

[DaveJ]

Corrosion, holding the wheel on the shaft?
Yes to the gear puller.

 

[kloudie1]

The wheel hub may be galled to the shaft. It may take a good bit of force to get it loose. A puller, hammer (applied to the puller center), and a generous application of something like PB Blaster may get it off. Good luck
Don't damage the thrust bearing.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

OUCH ................. there's your glue :

​

I have no idea how so much corrosion product could accumulate within a SS hub and outside a SS shaft. Even the split ring is badly corroded.

All I can see is to use a small steel hammer for a sharp impact and tap from the front and then tap from the back. Again and again and again ................ Keep it soaked with penetrant at all times. Wrap with Saran Wrap overnight to always keep it wet. Eventually it "may" come free and move a few 0.001" and from there move it more and more fore and aft each day until the shaft finally comes out.

A long drawn out picky job but but nothing compared to the cost of a new shaft and maybe a wheel to boot.

 

[Richard19068]

I had similar issues when I first took off the wheel on my then 20 year old boat. Straight shaft Edson. I assume it had never been removed before.
I got a wheel/gear puller and it turned out to be to light to be effective. I "rented" a much larger puller, kept tightening it , left it there for two days and nights with liberal applications of penetrating oil and tapping. It finally just gave up and popped off.

Persevere.

 

[Ward H]

Looks like someone tried to remove it previously and gave up when it got stuck in that position.
How are the bearings? Is there wobble in the shaft?
If there is a need to put in a rebuild kit, you should be able to pull the shaft with the wheel on it. Then take it to a machine shop and have them press the shaft out of the wheel.

Ralph is right on with his procedure.

 

[dmax]

You might also try applying some heat - the expansion often breaks the corrosion bonds.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Ralph is right on with his procedure.

ONLY if you are:

- retired.
- do little more than read the daily newspaper every morning.
- do little more than yell at the local kids to get off your lawn every afternnon.
- have a clean workshop.
- and otherwise lead a leisurely life.

 

[dlochner]

The end of the shaft is threaded, the threads are visible in the extreme close up photo you provided.

A large gear puller, time, and PB Blaster is probably your safest path. Too much pounding runs the risk of other damage to the guts of the pedestal which are mostly cast aluminum. Put the gear puller on as tight as possible, leave it there and go about other chores on the boat. Stop by once in a while and add a little more pressure to the puller. Leave it on overnight(s) adding pressure from time to time and penetrating oil. It will succumb, it just needs some time be convinced it is in its own best interest to be free of the shaft. If frustrated, threaten to replace the wheel with a nice Lewmar Folding Wheel.