Removing the Steering Shaft on a Merriman/Yach Specialties Pedestal

[Sable Sailor]

I need to remove the shaft and sprocket for inspection. I've been getting a "clicking" noise when the brake is set and learned that the pin to secure the sprocket to the shaft was missing.
I've got everything apart, but am not able to remove the bushing on the wheel side of the pedestal. Is there a trick to removing it?

Thanks for any help.

 

[kloudie1]

Go to “Owner Resources “ then “General Downloads “ then scroll down to Merriman . There are drawings and info there to look at. It looks like the wheel side bushing is pressed in ? I don’t see anything holding it in place. Maybe glue?

 

[Sable Sailor]

Apologies for being so late in replying. Thanks for the suggestions. The manual just shows a pin (roll-formed, I think) that keeps the sprocket from rotating on the shaft in addition to the key. I'm guessing the PO, or someone, used something like 5200 to fix the bearing.

I'll have to think and figure out a way.

 

[Phil D.]

I recently had to completely rebuild my Merriman pedestal because the Delrin bushings had warn badly. The bushings are no longer made but are easy for any good machine shop to make. It you are going in deep enough to remove the shaft and sprocket, I'd suggest replacing the bushings also. The sprocket is held to the shaft buy the pin you say is missing and also a key. The clicking you here could be a little slop with that key between the sprocket and shaft. I attached a PDF of the Merriman pedestal manual I can send you if you need it.

 

[Sable Sailor]

At present, I stopped my efforts with replacing the roll-formed pin. Just ran out of time with the other projects going on. The clicking is definitely caused by slop between the key and the sprocket. Replacing the pin stopped the clicking.

I'll do some more investigating later on.

Thanks again for the suggestions and information.