I'm trying to install an autopilot and need to take off my Steering Wheel. I pulled the steering wheel nut off, but the darn wheel won't come off. Is there a trick to getting these things off? Would an automobile wheel puller work, or is it too small? ANY suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated. BTW...if it matters, I have a 1977 Catalina 30' Thanks! Gary
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Rust, rust, rust!
Gary: I think you are fighting some rust. There is probably a keyway in the wheel. Try something like WD-40 or some other rust disolver on the shaft. You may need to tap on the wheel to loosen it up. Be sure to use a piece of wood between the wheel hub and the hammer. When you replace the wheel use some type of marine lube to help prevent rust in the future.
Gary: I think you are fighting some rust. There is probably a keyway in the wheel. Try something like WD-40 or some other rust disolver on the shaft. You may need to tap on the wheel to loosen it up. Be sure to use a piece of wood between the wheel hub and the hammer. When you replace the wheel use some type of marine lube to help prevent rust in the future.
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Henry Weber
remove wheel for autopilot
gary Coincidence. Just this afternoon I spent much effort trying to remove my frozen wheel on an H30 77 to install a Navico w300cx pilot. I used a two arm puller and had to really crank down. The aluminum wheel had interacted with the bronze on the shaft (electrolysis). Took me about an hour. Turns out the autopilot does not fit the pedestal and the clearance with the wheel is so tight it catches your knuckles when you are steering manually. It also adds resistance so you can''t feel the rudder as well. Henry
gary Coincidence. Just this afternoon I spent much effort trying to remove my frozen wheel on an H30 77 to install a Navico w300cx pilot. I used a two arm puller and had to really crank down. The aluminum wheel had interacted with the bronze on the shaft (electrolysis). Took me about an hour. Turns out the autopilot does not fit the pedestal and the clearance with the wheel is so tight it catches your knuckles when you are steering manually. It also adds resistance so you can''t feel the rudder as well. Henry
Henry!
Henry: You may want to check out the WP5000. Not as slick a unit but I think you will have a better fit. The problem with the older H'30 was the Edson pedestal has the shift lever on the aft side between the wheel and the pedestal. The WP5000 is an excellent unit and should be worth trying. PS: you would have loved that WP300.
Henry: You may want to check out the WP5000. Not as slick a unit but I think you will have a better fit. The problem with the older H'30 was the Edson pedestal has the shift lever on the aft side between the wheel and the pedestal. The WP5000 is an excellent unit and should be worth trying. PS: you would have loved that WP300.
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Henry Weber
Simnrad autopilot
Steve I remember from earlier your admiring the Simrad autopilots. That is why I got the WP300CX when I saw it on sale at Sailnet for $499. I am still trying to overcome the problems. It is possible to increase the diameter of the pedestal where the unit attaches but a more serious problem is that the control panel and the motor housing are both so close to the outer edge of the steering wheel that you hit your hand as you turn it. Perhaps there is more clearance on boats with a larger wheel diameter. Since I just started installing this afternoon I only had a chance to try the autopilot with the engine in a little lake near the dock. Tomorrow I will go out in the ocean under sail. Wish me luck. Henry
Steve I remember from earlier your admiring the Simrad autopilots. That is why I got the WP300CX when I saw it on sale at Sailnet for $499. I am still trying to overcome the problems. It is possible to increase the diameter of the pedestal where the unit attaches but a more serious problem is that the control panel and the motor housing are both so close to the outer edge of the steering wheel that you hit your hand as you turn it. Perhaps there is more clearance on boats with a larger wheel diameter. Since I just started installing this afternoon I only had a chance to try the autopilot with the engine in a little lake near the dock. Tomorrow I will go out in the ocean under sail. Wish me luck. Henry
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Dakota Jim Russell
Wheel puller
One can rent a small wheel puller from your nearest rental agency . . . . that along with WD 40, or a penetrating oil should do the trick. Jim
One can rent a small wheel puller from your nearest rental agency . . . . that along with WD 40, or a penetrating oil should do the trick. Jim
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Howard Levine
did it but it took a while
my wheel was on the boat for 22 years before i bought it and installed an autopilot. I used a two armed gear puller, soaked the area the best i could with penetrating oil starting the night before i tried and the next morning i still had to use a small propane torch to heat the wheel area around the shaft. with tension on the gear puller and a friend holding it in place it took a couple of good smacks with a mallet to finally break it loose. Once it was off i sanded the hole a little and cleaned and lubed it. It comes off easily now.
my wheel was on the boat for 22 years before i bought it and installed an autopilot. I used a two armed gear puller, soaked the area the best i could with penetrating oil starting the night before i tried and the next morning i still had to use a small propane torch to heat the wheel area around the shaft. with tension on the gear puller and a friend holding it in place it took a couple of good smacks with a mallet to finally break it loose. Once it was off i sanded the hole a little and cleaned and lubed it. It comes off easily now.
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