Edson Vision II pedestal issue.

[dave_and_dd]

Hi All - Happy 2017! I have a 2007 Catalina 309. Had a most amazing new year's eve sail and was just coming in at sunset and as i entered the slip I tightened down the wheel brake and heard a minor crunching sound. After securing lines, I went back to investigate and realized the brake was not holding at all and the wheel had a lot of play front to back (the wheel was secure on the shaft - the shaft was moving in and out).

I took the wheel off and instrument panel out to find a split ring very worn and not holding in the groove on the shaft (see pics). I would have thought that would be a circlip, but it looks like a totally worn split ring? (The security of the brake and shaft seem to totally be dependent on this ring holding in the groove). Here are my questions (FYI - Edson is closed today for inventory when I just tried calling...)

Anyone able to find an exploded parts diagram for this type of steering gear? I cannot. I find all sorts of info on the older styles with the brakes on the side or the brake deep in on the shaft. Note that in my model, the brake is right up front under a sort of "nose-piece".

Anyone know how to remove that nose-piece? or the proper way to remove the shaft? Again, everything I find is for the other models.

Anyone know the proper part to order? I'm sure Edson will be able to tell me that when they open tomorrow.

Thanks, Dave - Tampa

 

[agprice22]

Your photo shows 3 holes in the inside face of the pedestal. I would guess there are more holes than are showing. I would look at those to see if there are retaining screws for the nosepiece.

 

[dave_and_dd]

Hi Andrew - thanks - that's what i thought too. those holes are what's left after i removed a cap head screw from each. They were pointing outward just like one would assume would release the nose piece if they were removed, but no luck.

unless the screws were holding and maybe there's caulking or something that needs to be broken free...but i don't want to pry on something that seems solid without knowing for sure....that's why i was hoping someone had the experience and could help.

Thanks .....Dave

 

[Ted]

Dave, from the looks of this generic low resolution diagram from Edson, it does not appear that there is anything else holding the brake housing (#B-882) in place except for the steering wheel and wheel nut. Here is the link to that drawing. See page 6 http://www.edsonmarine.com/support/PDFs/installation/EB417CDi.pdf

 

[dave_and_dd]

That's a geared steering system (mine's a chain/sprocket/cable)...but you are right the very front of that looks similar. And you are right that diagram seems to only look like the wheel and wheel-nut is the only thing holding the brake housing on. When i next go out to the boat, i need to try pulling/turning/light-prying on the brake housing and see if I can just get it loose....

I hope i can get some answers from Edson tomorrow...

thanks....Dave

 

[DougM]

Am I missing something? Looking at the top of your second photo where the sprocket attaches to the shaft it looks like there is a keyway and about 90 degrees to the left, the remains of a sheared key. could this be part of the problem? or is there a second keyway?

 

[dave_and_dd]

Hi Doug - thanks for looking, but that's not quite what it seems. The keyway is in place and holding fine. I think you are just seeing some "old lube buildup" in the photo. The sprocket is rock solid on the shaft. the problem is that the ring has come out of the groove and not holding the washers, etc at the bottom of the photo tight. You can't see it too well in the photo, but the ring is indeed a split ring and it is worn paper thin at some points of it. Amazing it was working at all...

Dave

 

[dave_and_dd]

Hey all - I was able to get some good info from Edson on this and ordered some parts. Here's the story and when I get the parts and get done I'll report on it to let everyone know (those of you who in the future are going to be in this situation).

They said that's a sorta "weak point" of this system. I can see that the split ring is prone to wear and others are going to see this happen. When you tighten down on the brake, the split ring in the groove is the thing that the whole system bears against. They could send me a new split ring (no charge).

However, they have an upgrade that's much more robust. It's a 2 part collar that screws on in place of where the split ring goes. It's much heftier. Also it can be installed without removing the shaft (which sounds like a big plus). it's also ain't cheap (with expedited shipping just over $100). But if i can get this by Fri I can go sailing this weekend. So....worth it to me.

Also on the brake cover (the so called "nose piece"). The cap head screws I took out should be all I have to do to remove it. I think it is just stuck once I removed those screws. I didn't want to pull on it too much if I wasn't sure it was detached.

anyway - I'll update after I get the parts and try the fix....stay tuned.

Dave

 

[Ron20324]

It sounds like they will send you a shaft zinc for that collar? It can't be too much different, but would have to fit in the groove.

 

[dave_and_dd]

Ok folks...I have much more info and (so far) success...
First - yes the new part is like a zinc. but it is machined out of ss.

I figured out how to take the front cover (or nose-piece) off. The 4 cap head screws are all that holds it, plus friction. Once I knew nothing else was holding it, it came right off by putting the screws back in but not quite fully screwed down. then gently tapping on them with a hammer and the piece slid out. Be careful, as there's nothing holding the shaft in place and it slid forward at that point right out of the rear bearing too. This gave me access to clean and regrease the bearings (using superlube grease). Note: the rear bearing has a hole in the bearing holder you can squirt grease in. It appears to me that the only way to grease the front bearing is to take this off.

The brake disk is underneath this cover.

I put the new split ring on the inside and the new 2 piece collar (with a little blue locktite on the screws).

I put everything back together and it all seems to work very smoothly!

One thing - i the future - I will not crank down on the brake with a million ft/lbs of torque like i usually have...

thanks for assistance folks...Dave in tampa

 

[Ron20324]

Dave, thanks for the excellent tutorial on the replacement! That collar really is not much different from a shaft zinc.