Raymarine ST4000+ Auto Pilot clutch pop out

Stu Jackson · Apr 12, 2022

i don't even have that autopilot but am aware of the multiple failures of that clutch. WADR, you could do little research and homework on it, because its failures have been all over boating forums on the internet for decades. Really.

Tally Ho · Apr 12, 2022

I have the older (black) wheel pilot. Mine AP did that a few times. I found that disassembling the drive unit (the wheel part), cleaning the inside clutch mechanism, and putting it back together made all the difference.

I can almost tell when it needs to be cleaned because the clutch handle starts lifting when the AP is turning the wheel back and forth.

Greg

Sanfelice · Apr 12, 2022

Youtube has much on this subject.

BigEasy · Apr 12, 2022

Growl said:
Greg,
Do you actually have to take the wheel off?

Yes, you will have to remove the ship’s wheel to disassemble the AP wheel. Depending on the amount of wear/stretch in the belt and the adjustment available on the wheel drive, adjustment may be possible or a new belt may be necessary.

jssailem · Apr 13, 2022

Greg.
Know exactly what you are experiencing.
How old is the AP?

There are several failure points that can cause the event.

Bad Clutch arm
Bad tension on the drive belt
Loose screws on the eccentric bearings
broken drive wheel
contamination (dirt and grime) in the AP wheel

In order to examine and fix or send in for warranty, you are going to need to remove the wheel and then AP Wheel from the helm.
Some of my failure experiences:

It is possible to isolate the problem if out of warranty and come up with a fix.

Tally Ho · Apr 13, 2022

Growl said:
Greg,
Do you actually have to take the wheel off?

I do, then I pop the wheel drive cover off to expose the clutch and drive belt.
For me, that is easier than removing the drive unit off the wheel (And I think I would still have to remove the wheel to get to the cap screws that hold the drive to the wheel).

Greg

Tally Ho · Apr 13, 2022

Growl said:
Don’t know, Identical to yours, I’ve actually already ordered the clutch repair kit! cool I like to take things apart, but how do I get the wheel off? Lol

On my Edson pedestal, I just take the big nut off, and slide the wheel off the shaft. On mine, the shaft has a key, so be careful not to lose that.

If the wheel has been on there for a long time, it might take a little work…pushing, pulling, jiggling, to work the wheel off the shaft. Mine was hard to get off the first time. Now, I keep it lubricated, remove it each fall for winter layup and no issues getting it on or off.

Greg

jviss · Apr 13, 2022

Tally Ho said:
remove it each fall

I remove mine each time I anchor or moor as it's so much easier to move around the cockpit without it blocking the lazarette and swim ladder! I stand it on the deck between the bimini frame and lifeline, and secure it with a short piece of line.

jviss · Apr 13, 2022

Growl said:
Hi,
We were sailing in Orange County Ca. Saturday, Alamitos Bay to be exact. We spotted a small whale! As the whale swam alongside us my auto pilot clutch popped out and undid itself and started going hard to starboard towards the whale! And probably wouldn’t of stopped until it hit the stop if I hadn’t hit standby! Even with the clutch disengaged the wheel turned hard Starboard, Has anyone else experienced this? Thank you for your time. Belt too tight/loose? Greg

I screwed around with mine for years, got new belts, adjusted the eccentric mounting the tensioner, and so on. After a while I just got a short piece of line to tie the lever down when the autopilot was engaged.

I have often lamented that no one, no third party, has ventured to build a metal, reliable, robust, and perhaps even electric-clutch wheel drive unit to join with Raymarine and other pilots. Why not? Why hasn't Edson done this, incorporating it into their pedestals, or perhaps Lewmar? Or some new guy? Ah, perhaps a retirement business for me!

jviss · Apr 13, 2022

Growl said:
Now that I have the wheel off
I understand, all kinds of room after wheel removal! How do you open the auto pilot wheel?

Un-snap the halves, as I recall. Don't go by me, my memory may be failing, but that's what I recall, and it was quite anxiety-provoking.

Tally Ho · Apr 13, 2022

Yes, a large screw driver, pry tool or scraper should help you separate the 2 halves. Once you get it started, you should be able to pull them apart.

There are NO ball bearings to fall out my version, but mine is older than yours. Open it carefully over a blanket or something in case anything falls out.

On my older version, there are 6 or so “wheels” inside that support the ring and allow it to move pretty easily. I don’t know if they changed that in later models.

Greg

jviss · Apr 13, 2022

Growl said:
Yer kill in’ me….

I'm glad you are enjoying this.

Honestly, I couldn't wait to get a below-decks pilot, but they are enormously more expensive than a wheel pilot. A wheel pilot makes pilots accessible to many more sailors. But, the Raymarine thing, which started live as the Autohelm thing, was from a British company that thought plastic was "the thing," or maybe it was just the era.

Raymarine ST4000+ Auto Pilot clutch pop out

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