The Edson rep says they have never heard of this happening but the design leaves me convinced that it must be an issue.
I installed one of their wheel brake kits for pre 2003 pedestal steerers with the #825ST-1 press on knob. This has a plastic insert that will let the knob pop off if snagged by a line before the pedestal is ripped out of the cockpit floor, a good feature.
However, in a moment when I was distracted by other things, I had the rudder slip and really tightened the brake. When I went to release the brake, the wheel spun but I couldn't steer. I turned the wheel some more and the knob came right off. The plastic insert is simply threaded and the stainless knob just unscrewed from it. There I was unable to steer until I rummaged in a locker for vice grips. It could have led to a big problem in some circumstances.
Edson was very good about it. I had a new plastic insert the next day but that's not really the issue. All that holds the insert in is a green Locktite product, propriatary to them according to the rep, which bonds to both plastic and stainless steel. The replacement insert came smeared with it in a plastic bag but I couldn't see any sign of it locking the insert in when I tried it. The green goop on the old insert that came loose was soft.
I drilled an 1/8" hole throug the side of the knob socket, put in the insert, backdrilled, and inserted a piece of S.S. rod. Then. I took it apart and put it all back together with epoxy. This knob isn't going to come unscrewed.
If you have one of these, I suggest doing the same or at least keeping in mind when you lock the wheel hard that you might not be able to get it free again and plan ahead accordingly.
I installed one of their wheel brake kits for pre 2003 pedestal steerers with the #825ST-1 press on knob. This has a plastic insert that will let the knob pop off if snagged by a line before the pedestal is ripped out of the cockpit floor, a good feature.
However, in a moment when I was distracted by other things, I had the rudder slip and really tightened the brake. When I went to release the brake, the wheel spun but I couldn't steer. I turned the wheel some more and the knob came right off. The plastic insert is simply threaded and the stainless knob just unscrewed from it. There I was unable to steer until I rummaged in a locker for vice grips. It could have led to a big problem in some circumstances.
Edson was very good about it. I had a new plastic insert the next day but that's not really the issue. All that holds the insert in is a green Locktite product, propriatary to them according to the rep, which bonds to both plastic and stainless steel. The replacement insert came smeared with it in a plastic bag but I couldn't see any sign of it locking the insert in when I tried it. The green goop on the old insert that came loose was soft.
I drilled an 1/8" hole throug the side of the knob socket, put in the insert, backdrilled, and inserted a piece of S.S. rod. Then. I took it apart and put it all back together with epoxy. This knob isn't going to come unscrewed.
If you have one of these, I suggest doing the same or at least keeping in mind when you lock the wheel hard that you might not be able to get it free again and plan ahead accordingly.
