Squeaky Auto Pilot - is this normal?
- Thread starter Elie
- Start date
Looks like a belt drive autopilot. They make belt lube for that. WD40 isn't a lube but rather a water displacement, hence 'W D' which can 'eat' the belt.
Yea, that's irritating as heck. Belt dressing spray from the auto parts store should fix it if its the belt. Could it be the seal in the motor? Then a spray lube (not WD) should help if you can work it in between the seal and shaft.
WD40 evaporates, leaving nothing behind so it will work for a little while. Then the squeak comes back.
WD40 evaporates, leaving nothing behind so it will work for a little while. Then the squeak comes back.
Ya might have to pop the cover of the wheel drive unit and put a tiny drop of superlube on the idler wheel axles.. The shop manual for the wheel drive is in the "Downloads" section of this site. IT shows how to pop the cover off.
(Make sure the wheel brake is completely released)
(Make sure the wheel brake is completely released)
Link to shop manual.. you may not have this model exactly, but it will be very similar in construction.
http://sbo.sailboatowners.com/downloads/Hunter_gen_42654057.pdf
http://sbo.sailboatowners.com/downloads/Hunter_gen_42654057.pdf
Same AP on our boat. Same problem. Sometimes it's quiet and sometimes not. Irony: this ap replaced a 15 year old Autohelm A4000S and the "looks almost the same" drive motor never made any such noise. (sigh...)
"Irritating as Heck" pretty well covers it! And ours has done it since almost new. Dealer cannot find the problem.
"Irritating as Heck" pretty well covers it! And ours has done it since almost new. Dealer cannot find the problem.
I would think that if its not the belt it would have to be the shaft seal. McLube or other type should quiet it down off you can get some between the shaft and seal.
I assume it’s a ‘Smart Pilot x-5’. Mine does periodically the same thing when it is working hard in confused seas. I just flush lightly with some fresh water, whilst it is active, via the free slot in the back of the drive cover. This stops it for quite a while. Raymarine recommends flushing after each use.
Repaired. The X-5 on our 34 was doing the same thing, squeeking when engaged. The issue is the idler pullies on either side of the belt drive wheel (inside the drive ring). The idler pullies (one being the locking lever idler) are are composed of a nylon spindle wrapped with a flexible product that rotates around the nylon spindle (driven by the drive belt). The squeak occures when the lubricant between between the flexible product and the nylon spindle drys. Put a small (very small) amount of non destructive lubricant between the flexible product and the nylon spindle. Silence.
Klondi,
Thanks for posting the ST4000 shop manual. That is the AP I have on my boat.
Lately, the driver lever on mine "backs off" when the AP is engaged. I will be taking the drive unit off the wheel over the winter to see what is going on inside the wheel ring.
The lever disengages at the most inopportune times
I wrapped a small bungee around it that helps hold it down and can easily be "popped off" when necessary. Should get me through the remainder of the season.
Greg
Thanks for posting the ST4000 shop manual. That is the AP I have on my boat.
Lately, the driver lever on mine "backs off" when the AP is engaged. I will be taking the drive unit off the wheel over the winter to see what is going on inside the wheel ring.
The lever disengages at the most inopportune times
I wrapped a small bungee around it that helps hold it down and can easily be "popped off" when necessary. Should get me through the remainder of the season.
Greg
Marah's solution should be in a FAQ. This very easy fix works until you really need to replace or repair something.
Yes @PAC3142 the idea works. It improves the function of the eccentric gear used in the wheel pilot. Be careful not to lube more than the under side of the wrap. Too much lube and the belt will get contaminated. Then the system will stop working.
The squeak is caused because dirt has contacted the nylon eccentric. You can accomplish a similar result by cleaning the nylon with soap and flush with water. Dry and reassemble.
The squeak is caused because dirt has contacted the nylon eccentric. You can accomplish a similar result by cleaning the nylon with soap and flush with water. Dry and reassemble.
