Autohelm stuck on

[Victoria28]

While motoring our '92 Catalina 28 into Tsehum Haven this afternoon I discovered that I had difficulty turning the helm wheel due to the Autohelm st4000+ was not disengaging after the clutch lever was released. I had to use considerable force to steer as I was also turning the drive motor. My understanding is that there is some type of toothed ring or a drivebelt inside that is driven by the drive motor with a lever activated clutch. It appears that I may have to acquire a wheel puller to remove the steering wheel but I have not seen anything in the Raytheaon manual as to how to release/repair the "seized clutch".
Anybody else have this experience? Any suggestions?
We are due to head out with the grandsons tomorrow so I do want to get past this ASAP!
Thanks
Bill
s/v Pleiades
#246

 

[Calif. Ted]

Shouldn't need a wheel puller, remove wheel nut and wiggle the wheel while pulling it towards you. Disconnect power lead to wheel pilot motor, and watch for the keyway in the wheel shaft, if upside down it will fall out and into the water. Once off you can separate the two halves of the drive ring, usually by hand, they just snap together.
Either the tensioner has failed or belt self destructed and jammed the works.