Issues with whitlock-lewmar mamba steering on passage 456

rtmccue · Jun 30, 2015

bolts loose

discovery said:
We have a 2002 passage 456, just finished a 2 thousand mile sail to the carribean, I noticed what seems to be some play in my steering, also at anchor we can feel what seems to be the rudder wiggling sided to side a little
with the wheel locked off. Any one with our boat experienced this, also has anyone serviced the mamba steering system and could give us your Experience?

I found some of the bolts that lock the shafts to the joints were loose the shaft under the aft bed was walking back and forth. I went over all the bolts. Also check the area around the autohelm motor Good luck

artboas · Jul 1, 2015

There should be zero play

discovery said:
We have a 2002 passage 456, just finished a 2 thousand mile sail to the carribean, I noticed what seems to be some play in my steering, also at anchor we can feel what seems to be the rudder wiggling sided to side a little
with the wheel locked off. Any one with our boat experienced this, also has anyone serviced the mamba steering system and could give us your Experience?

The Mamba is an excellent system, and Hunter spent a lot of money putting these in. Most other builders use wire / chain, and on a dual helm system it is a real compromise.
Go over the system one step at a time.
You should know every nut & bolt in your steering regardless.
It is possible that the play is coming from several spots, all adding up together.
Plan at least a full day to go over it top to bottom. You won't regret it

Issues with whitlock-lewmar mamba steering on passage 456

discovery

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rtmccue

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artboas

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discovery

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