H34 Steering link out of line

[PGIJon]

Is this or is this not an issue? I've seen MaineSail and other mention that the H34 cable is out of line on several different posts where one of us shows the quadrant. There is a drop in the cable from the idler to the quadrant. Has anyone fixed this? Thanks... Jon

 

[kloudie1]

Nope.. but it is important to inspect for tension and wear, and lube it. It is that way because the rudder post is angled back a little.

 

[njlarry]

It is an issue and leads to chafe of the cable and failure from wear or derailing. Check with Edson both on their website which shows all the issues. The idler wheel bracket is designed to accommodate various rudder angles. I talked their tech support who indicated that the alignment must be right on, he would not even admit to an eighth inch tolerance although I took it that it would be acceptable. You adjust it coursely with the idler wheels then fine tune it with shims under the bracket or sometimes moving the radial.
We should all be checking it yearly and looking aluminum dust under the radial.

 

[Fast Ed]

This does not look right to me, and it also does not look like my boat. I think the cable may be on backwards, or there is some problem with the idler pulley. On the other hand, the picture looks like the rudder is all the way over, so the 'out of line' would not be pulling. I would be curious as to what happens when the rudder is centered?

 

[Fast Ed]

2nd Post:
I just looked at my quadrant today, and it does not look like yours. I think your idler pulleys may be mounted backwards, or on the wrong side.

 

[PGIJon]

Fast Ed... Do you have a picture that you can upload? Thanks... Jon

 

[Fast Ed]

John,
I tried to shoot a pic, but it came out too dark to use. The bottom line is that my quadrant is aligned better than yours. On my boat the alignment is done by moving the 2 idler pulleys that are mounted on a plate at the base of the pedestal.

On my boat the starboard side idler pulley is farther aft than the port side pulley. This is so the steering cables can cross inside the pedestal without interference.

Go into your quarterberth and lie down directly under the pedestal, and you should see what I'm talking about when you look up. Bad alignment will probably cause your steering cables to wear prematurely. You should change any steering cable that has a 'meathook' or a broken wire.
Good Luck,
Ed

 

[PGIJon]

Thanks Ed

No meathooks or broken wires. The boat has been sailed quite a bit in the 4 years that I've owned it and have never had any problems or noticeable wear... Idler pulleys appear to be higher than the quadrant. Claude indicates that our quadrant is installed at an angle aligned with the rudder.

I appreciate you trying to get the picture... Maybe if you are down here or if we're up your way, we can take a look.

Thanks... Jon