Lewmar Cobra steering linkage noise

[Ken Honeycutt]

I've developed a noise coming from the linkage on my Lewmar Cobra drive. It sounds like it is under the cockpit sole so I'm assuming that it is part of the linkage from the pedestal arm to the rudder stock. The sound is something like a loose fit between parts since it happens when the rudder changes position during slight changes in wheel position (slight turn to stbd after a turn to port). There isn't much in the way of literature on the Lewmar website so at this point I'm not sure what the problem is. I'm concerned that one of the rod eye's may have a loose mount on the arm.

Couple of questions:

A) Has anyone with the Lewmar cobra drive had this problem.

B) I need to remove the cockpit sole to access the drive. Looks like only 4 screws to remove. Has anyone done this and are there any special precautions I need to take when removing the sole?

This is a 2008 Hunter 36

Any reponse is greatly appreciated since I feel a royal raping from the boat yard on this one.

 

[chuckwayne]

Hi Ken,
we haven't noticed any noises or slack in ours, but your suspicion that one of the rod ends is loose should be checked out. It's just the four screws and the panel lifts out, it's an easy job.

 

[MsEmee]

Easy peasy. Remove the 6 screws and the floor lifts out. You will see the push-rod that goes to the steering quadrant and wire bundle that goes to the pedestal. Not much to lube here. Might throw some lithium grease on the push-rod at the rudder post. Use some Marine silicon on the screws when you button up the floor again. The only part that I know that needs to be lubed is under the compass. Remove the compass/instrument top with the 8 screws that hold it down to gain access to the gears. Use lithium grease. Bottom it up and done.
If you have a below the deck autopilot that is what might be making the noise you are hearing.

 

[seadaddler]

Rack & Pinion steering

Very easy to remove the cockpit sole floor,remove the 4 screws and it will slide out the back very easy.
Under the floor is a long adjust able rod from the rudder to the main steering
under the helm.
I have never had a problem with the steering of my 2007-36 and no noise at all,good luck.
Nick

 

[Ken Honeycutt]

Re: Rack & Pinion steering

Wow, talk about quick response! Thanks all!

Appreciate the pictures Nick. The fact that you've had no noise problems increases my suspicion that something has worked loose.

 

[Ken Honeycutt]

Found the noise problem

Just as a followup - turned out the noise problem was caused by a loose jam nut. After the jam nut worked loose the lock nut that locks the rod end also worked loose. The noise I heard was because of a loose fit of the rod end threads as the drag link worked back and forth between loading and unloading the rudder. Tighthened both nuts and all is well.

Thanks again for the responses. Now I just have to figure out how to rebed one of the screw holes that holds the cockpit sole so that the screw will hold.