Autohelm 4000 - Clutch Failure

[neilleparkerjr]

My Hunter 37.5's 17-year old autopilot clutch has stopped engaging when moving the lever. To be honest the clutch was stressed heavily when I replaced the lever after building on a new extension to it (plastic lever broken when I bought the boat); it was close to impossible to get that lever onto the shaft. Autohelm (now Raymarine) stopped making parts and offering advice on this model (the black one, not the later gray) long ago.

Does anyone have any ideas, suggestions, or parts?

 

[rpell1@msn.com]

I have the same unit. Keep an eye on eBay. I found a bunch of parts over the winter. They pop-up every so often. Good Luck and Happy Sailing.

My Hunter 37.5's 17-year old autopilot clutch has stopped engaging when moving the lever. To be honest the clutch was stressed heavily when I replaced the lever after building on a new extension to it (plastic lever broken when I bought the boat); it was close to impossible to get that lever onto the shaft. Autohelm (now Raymarine) stopped making parts and offering advice on this model (the black one, not the later gray) long ago.

Does anyone have any ideas, suggestions, or parts?

 

[Rob19574]

I've got the same issues with mine. I replace the belt and that helped somewhat. My clutch lever does not stay engaged. I fastened a light bungee cord to hold it engaged and in-place. Works....still hanging on to the unit but for how long is a total guess.