Hopefully my last request on this subject

[Coyote]

Stiff Steering - The BATTLE Continues

I have asked several times on this board for assistance on my STIFF Steering, and have gotten EXCELLENT, informative,responses,,, however,, on my 1984 Hunter 31',,,

the problem persists, and I believe I have it narrowed down,,,
This is a Yacht Specialties Pedestal ( and yes I know that are out of business) The Edson Pedestal "Help" page does not address this issue,,
with the Cables reoved from the Quadrum, the rudder moves freely and easily,,, with the Chain raised, and free of the sprocket, the wheels moves "stiffly",,, even with NO Pressure on it,,
I spoke with Mike Thomas at Hunter for his advice, and he suggested the problem could be in the "axel gear (s)" which I believe resides within the interior part of the sprocket,,, this would be the two connecting points inside the Pedestal for the "axel" to rotate freely,,,

I can find ZERO information on this, in the archives or online, and have been frustarated with this problem for a couple of months, and have shot Gallons of WD-40 and "Blaster" into and onto every part inside the Pedestal,

seems to be a VERY difficult area to access and work in--

Help!! and as always, Thanks!!!

"Coyote"

 

[SamLust]

OK. Here we go!

It is dificult for me to figure out from the wording of your post exactly where you have narrowed the friction down to.

Description and process of elimination. As I have never heard of or seen a rack and pinion style pedestal I must assume yours is chain/cable with a sprocket. First: there is no such thing as an "axle gear" on the pedestal. Your wheel is on a shaft that runs horizontaly through the pedestal head and is supported on bushings. At about the mid point on that shaft there is a small sprocket, that is a wheel with "teeth" that engages the chain portion of the chain/cable, and possibly a brake set-up that enables you to apply a small or large amount of drag to the wheel, possibly to the point of locking it. It sounds stupid, nbut first check the knob for the brake which if there is on the starboard side of the pedestal. If there is still drag with the chain held away from the sprocket then you have mucked up bushings supporting the shaft. To determin the problem you must disassemble. Among other operations you will have to drive out a roll pin from the sprocket in order to get the shaft out. Once you have gotten that far we can continue the process. Please be prepared to take and post close-up pictures.

Sam

 

[Coyote]

Sam::

image below--

Thanks for the quick reply ---
There is NO Steering Brake,,, PO removed it when they installed Auto Pilot,,,,,
(and problem still exists with AP Removed)

Feels as if you are driving a car with NO Power Steering,,, wheel moves you have to give it a bit o' muscle,,, my friends Catalina 30 in the next slip, turn the wheel, and it continues through the radius almost on it's own with very little effort,, one finher, where as I have to almost "Yank it"

How does one "dismantle" this, it seems as if they built the boat around this

"Coyote"

 

[SamLust]

Disassemble!

Pull off the engine control head. Pull the wheel off. Disconnect the control cables, unscrew the housing and pull it off. You then will have better access to the sprocket. It looks like there is an allen head set screw holding it Unscrew it and see what comes loose or if you can move the sprocket. Beyond that I can't remember how the shaft is held in. It can't be that complicated. Just do what it takes to get it apart -- without resorting to a hammer.

By the way. -- It looks like you're using grease on the chain. Useless. the chain needs OIL or specially formulated aerosol chain lube. The chain needs lubricant inside the rollers a lot more than outside.

 

[Coyote]

Many Thanks!!!

Sam:

Great Info!!!

I'll "deconstruct" early next week and report back as to what I find, and What Happens!!!

Thanks again,,,
"Coyote"

 

[Coyote]

Hey Sam!!!

WELL,,,, after spending the better part of TWO DAYS trying to dismantle this "beast",,, IT IS DONE!!!!
Yesterday we determined that the AFT Bearing (forwrad is ONLY a bushing) was the culprip, and was going to have to be Drilled Out from the Pedestal,,,

we had been using a hammer, trying to get the shaft to come through the bearing and out of the Pedestal, when a Fine Gentleman came by and asked what the "he*l" I was doing, discussed the issue with him, and asked permission to come aboard, LOOKED at the Shaft and said the was a "Roll Pin" in place and need to be removed, and once done, the shaft should "Fly Out", which it did,,,

at this point, All Steering Control is removed from the Pedestal, will head to the "Bearing Store" Monday Morning with my accumulated parts, and am hoping for an Off The Rack Fit,,, ReGrease, and Re Assemble,,,

I AM AMAZED That I think I am the ONLY Sailor to have to go through this effort!!!

If you know of anyone that ever needs to do this procedure, consider me and my TEAM the Resident Experts!!!

will Report back when ReAssembled!!!

Thank again for your input,,,,,,,

"Coyote"