Really "STIFF" salon table post

[Robert M. Seiden]

We have a 2001 Catalina 320. We finally got around to using the salon table for a berth. It was extremely difficult to push the table down and equally hard to raise it again even with the retaining screw backed well clear of the post. We lubed the post and still had great difficulty. We pulled the table right off the post (it's held there by a spline).Any ideas, hints, or suggestions as to why it is so stiff and how to free it up?Thanks,Bob Seiden

 

[RG Miller]

same problem

Hey Bob; My post is frozen...It won't go up or down. I have a 95 C320 and the table won't move at all. I've pulled it apart and figured I'd just have to get a new rod inside but haven't got around to it yet....never needed to use the table as a bunk. Let me know if there is a way to fix the thing before I have to pull everything apart to get at it.Thanks..RG.

 

[Ted]

Mine too!

I couldn't do it when I bought the boat. The dealer was kind enough to show me how. Basically he and I go about 240 Lbs. He got on the right and I on the left and we forced it down while keeping it LEVEL. I have made a point to move it up and down weekly since and after each time it got easier and easier. I just think it is a very tight fit and use will loosen it up a bit. We used alot of force to lower the first time. I don't think you can break anything except the table if you get too carried away, but we used alot of force!

 

[james]

np problem

I had the same problem pushing the table down. I finaly figured it out. You must push down the table at the center over the support.Once i started doing this it became easly to push down. hope this helps.